Aqueous base paints containing cross-linked polyurethane binders and a special solvent composition

ABSTRACT

Provided herein is a pigmented aqueous basecoat material including an aqueous polyurethane-polyurea dispersion (PD) having polyurethane-polyurea particles present in the dispersion, an average particle size (volume average) of 40 to 2000 nm, and a gel fraction of at least 50 wt %. The polyurethane-polyurea particles, in each case in reacted form, include: at least one polyurethane prepolymer containing isocyanate groups and including anionic groups and/or groups which can be converted into anionic groups, and at least one polyamine comprising two primary amino groups and one or two secondary amino groups. The aqueous basecoat material includes a specific solvent composition. Also provided herein is a method of using basecoat materials including the dispersion (PD) and multicoat paint systems produced using the basecoat materials.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the national stage entry of PCT/EP2016/076187, filed on Oct. 31, 2016, which claims the benefit of priority to European Patent Application No. 15192706.8, filed Nov. 3, 2015, which are incorporated by reference in theft entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pigmented aqueous basecoat material comprising a polyurethane-polyurea dispersion and also a specific solvent composition. The present invention also relates to the use of an aqueous basecoat material comprising a polyurethane-polyurea dispersion and the specific solvent composition for improving the applications properties of basecoat materials and coatings produced using the basecoat material. Especially in connection with the construction of multicoat paint systems, the aqueous basecoat material comprising this dispersion and the specific solvent composition possesses outstanding storage stability while maintaining good applications properties.

BACKGROUND

Multicoat paint systems on a wide variety of different substrates, as for example multicoat paint systems on metallic substrates within the automobile industry, are known. In general, multicoat paint systems of this kind comprise, viewed from the metallic substrate outward, an electrocoat, a layer which has been applied directly to the electrocoat and is usually referred to as the primer-surfacer coat, at least one coat which comprises color pigments and/or effect pigments and is generally referred to as the basecoat, and a clearcoat. The basic compositions and functions of these layers and of the coating compositions needed to form these layers, i.e. electrocoat materials, so-called primer-surfacers, coating compositions which comprise color pigments and/or effect pigments and are known as basecoat materials, and clearcoat materials, are known. Accordingly, for example, the electrocoat serves basically to protect the substrate from corrosion. The so-called primer-surfacer coat serves principally for protection from mechanical stress, for example stone-chipping, and additionally to level out unevenness in the substrate. The next coat, referred to as the basecoat, is principally responsible for the creation of esthetic properties such as color and/or effects such as flop, while the clearcoat which then follows serves particularly to impart scratch resistance and the gloss of the multicoat paint system.

Multicoat paint systems of this kind, and also methods for producing them, are described in, for example, DE 199 48 004 A1, page 17, line 37, to page 19, line 22, or else in DE 100 43 405 C1, column 3, paragraph [0018], and column 8, paragraph [0052], to column 9, paragraph [0057], in conjunction with column 6, paragraph [0039] to column 8, paragraph [0050].

The known multicoat paint systems are already able to meet many of the applications properties required by the automobile industry. In the recent past, progress has also been made in terms of the environmental profile of such paint systems, especially through the increased use of aqueous coating materials, of which aqueous basecoat materials are an example.

A problem which nevertheless occurs again and again in connection with the production of multicoat paint systems lies in the formation of unwanted inclusions of air, of solvents and/or of moisture, which may become apparent in the form of bubbles beneath the surface of the overall paint system, and may burst open in the course of final curing. The holes that are formed in the paint system as a result, also called pinholes and pops, lead to a disadvantageous visual appearance. The amounts of organic solvents and/or water involved, and also the quantity of air introduced as a result of the application procedure, are too great to allow the overall amount to escape from the multicoat paint system in the course of curing, without giving rise to defects.

In general the robustness with respect to the development of runs, pops, and pinholes is collated under the heading of applications properties. Running is understood as the sagging of coating materials which have been applied, but which are not yet fully dried or cured, on vertical or inclined surfaces. This sagging gives rise in general to an unattractive and uneven appearance in the coating that results after curing.

The environmental profile of multicoat paint systems is also still in need of improvement. A contribution in this respect has, indeed, already been achieved through the replacement of a significant fraction of organic solvents by water in aqueous paints. A significant improvement, nevertheless, would be achievable by an increase in the solids content of such paints. However, especially in aqueous basecoat materials, which comprise color pigments and/or effect pigments, the storage stability is detrimentally affected as the solids content is increased. The storage stablility here describes for example the time-dependent sedimentation behavior of pigments of the paint. The storage stability of coating materials or paints, examples being aqueous basecoat materials, which comprise polymer dispersions as binders, for example, is influenced by factors including the rate of sedimentation as a function of the size of the particles from the dispersions, and the effect of the solvent on the stabilization of those particles, and also the effect on the viscosity. The storage stability can be described by means of viscosity measurements in the liquid state over time.

The level of the solids content likewise influences other rheological properties, such as a pronounced structural viscosity. It is often achieved through the use of inorganic phyllosilicates. Although the use of such silicates can result in very good properties of structural viscosity, the coating materials in question are in need of improvement with regard to their solids content.

The prior art describes a wide variety of specific polymers, their use in coating materials, and also their advantageous effect on various applications properties of paint systems and coatings.

DE 197 19 924 A1 describes a process for preparing a storage-stable dispersion of polyurethanes containing amino groups, the preparation of which involves reaction of polyurethane prepolymers containing isocyanate groups with specific polyamines that have no primary amino groups, and involves dispersion in water before or after the reaction. One possible area of application is the provision of coating materials.

DE 31 37 748 A1 describes storage-stable aqueous dispersions of polyurethane-polyureas produced, again, by reaction of a polyurethane prepolymer containing isocyanate groups with a specific polyamine. One possible area of application is the provision of coatings on metallic substrates.

WO 2014/007915 A1 discloses a method for producing a multicoat automobile finish, using an aqueous basecoat material which comprises an aqueous dispersion of a polyurethane-polyurea resin. The use of the basecoat material produces positive effects on the optical properties, in particular a minimizing of gel specks.

WO 2012/160053 A1 describes hydrophilic layer assemblies for medical instruments, with aqueous dispersions of polyurethane-polyurea resins being among the components used in producing the assembly.

Likewise described is the use of microgels, or dispersions of such microgels, in various coating materials, in order thereby to optimize different applications properties of coating systems. A microgel dispersion, as is known, is a polymer dispersion in which, on the one hand, the polymer is present in the form of comparatively small particles, having particle sizes of 0.02 to 10 micrometers, for example (“micro”-gel). On the other hand, however, the polymer particles are at least partly intramolecularly crosslinked; the internal structure, therefore, equates to that of a typical polymeric network. Because of the molecular nature, however, these particles are in solution in suitable organic solvents; macroscopic networks, by contrast, would merely swell. The physical properties of such systems with crosslinked particles in this order of magnitude, often also called mesoscopic in the literature, lie between the properties of macroscopic structures and microscopic structures of molecular liquids (see, for example, G. Nimtz, P. Marquardt, D. Stauffer, W. Weiss, Science 1988, 242, 1671). Microgels are described with more precision later on below.

DE 35 13 248 A1 describes a dispersion of polymeric micropolymer particles, the dispersion medium being a liquid hydrocarbon. Preparation involves the reaction of a prepolymer containing isocyanate groups with a polyamine such as diethylenetriamine. An advantage cited is the improvement in the resistance to sagging of coatings which comprise the micropolymer particles.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,008 describes stable, colloidal aqueous dispersions of crosslinked urea-urethanes whose preparation involves reacting a prepolymer—which is in dispersion in aqueous solution, which contains isocyanate groups, and which comprises hydrophilic ethylene oxide units—with polyfunctional amine chain extenders. The films produced therefrom possess, for example, good hardness and tensile strength.

EP 1 736 246 A1 describes aqueous basecoat materials for application in the area of automobile finishing, comprising a polyurethane-urea resin which is in dispersion in water and which possesses a crosslinked fraction of 20% to 95%. This aqueous crosslinked resin is prepared in a two-stage process, by preparation of a polyurethane prepolymer containing isocyanate groups, and subsequent reaction of this prepolymer with polyamines. The prepolymer, in a solution in acetone with a solids content of about 80%, is dispersed in water, and then reacted with the polyamine. The use of this crosslinked resin results in advantageous optical properties on the part of multicoat paint systems.

DE 102 38 349 A1 describes polyurethane microgels in water, with one microgel explicitly produced having a crosslinked gel fraction of 60%. The microgels are used in waterborne basecoat materials, where they lead to advantageous rheological properties. Furthermore, through the use of the waterborne basecoat materials in the production of multicoat paint systems, advantages are achieved in respect of decorative properties and adhesion properties.

As a result of the highly promising applications properties of microgel dispersions, particularly aqueous microgel dispersions, this class of polymer dispersions is seen as particularly highly promising for use in aqueous coating materials.

It should nevertheless be noted that such microgel dispersions, or dispersions of polymers having a crosslinked gel fraction as described above, must be formed in such a way that not only do the stated advantageous properties result, but also, furthermore, no adverse effects arise on other important properties of aqueous coating materials. Thus, for example, it is difficult to provide microgel dispersions with polymer particles of a defined particle size that on the one hand have the crosslinked character described, but on the other hand permit an appropriate storage stability. The storage stability, or its sedimentation behavior, is determined in this case by the size of the particles and their stabilization in the dispersion or in the paint or the coating material. As is known, dispersions having comparatively larger particles, in the range of, for example, greater than 2 micrometers (average particle size), possess increased sedimentation behavior and hence an impaired storage stability. Also inadequately dealt with in the prior art is the effect of the solvents used in the coating material on the stabilization of these particles and hence the effect of the solvents on the sedimentation behavior or on the storage stability of the coating material.

SUMMARY

The problem for the present invention, accordingly, was first of all to provide aqueous coating materials, more particularly basecoat materials comprising an aqueous polymer dispersion which allow excellent storage stability of these basecoat materials to be established, with retention of good applications properties, through deliberate selection of the solvents used and their composition. Ultimately, therefore, in paint systems, especially multicoat paint systems, produced using a storage-stable basecoat material of this kind, the good applications properties ought to be retained, more particularly a good pinholing behavior, here further, in particular, a reduced number of pinholes or pinholing limit, and good running stability.

The coating materials formulated with the polymer dispersion ought therefore to be storage-stable as a result of appropriate selection of the solvent composition used, and at the same time ought likewise to be preparable in an environmentally advantageous way, in particular with a high solids content, with good applications properties being retained or even improved.

It has been found that the problems identified can be solved by means of a new pigmented aqueous basecoat material comprising an aqueous polyurethane-polyurea dispersion (PD) having polyurethane-polyurea particles, present in the dispersion, having an average particle size (volume average) of 40 to 2000 nm, and having a gel fraction of at least 50 wt %, the polyurethane-polyurea particles, in each case in reacted form, comprising

(Z.1.1) at least one polyurethane prepolymer containing isocyanate groups and comprising anionic groups and/or groups which can be converted into anionic groups, and also

(Z.1.2) at least one polyamine comprising two primary amino groups and one or two secondary amino groups,

wherein

the aqueous basecoat material, based on the total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, contains in total less than 9 wt % of solvents selected from the group consisting of solvents (L1) having a HLB of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility of >1.5 wt % at 20° C.,

the HLB of a solvent (L) being defined as follows: HLB(L)=20*(1−M(lipophilic fraction of (L))/M(L)),

the lipophilic fraction of a solvent (L) being made up of the following carbon-containing groups:

every group CH_(n) with n=1 to 3, provided that the group

(i) is not in alpha position to OH, NH₂, CO₂H,

(ii) is not in ethylene oxide units located in an ethylene oxide chain having a terminal OH group, and/or

(iii) is not in a cyclic molecule or molecular moiety in alpha position to a bridging functional group selected from —O—, NH—.

The new aqueous dispersion is also referred to below as aqueous basecoat material of the invention. Preferred embodiments of the aqueous basecoat material of the invention are apparent from the description which follows and from the dependent claims.

The present invention likewise provides a method for producing multicoat paint systems using the pigmented aqueous basecoat material of the invention, and also the multicoat paint systems producible by means of said method. The present invention further relates to the use of the pigmented aqueous basecoat material of the invention for improving the storage stability and the applications properties of multicoat paint systems.

It has emerged that through appropriate selection of specific solvents in particular limits in aqueous basecoat materials comprising the dispersion (PD), it is possible to achieve outstanding storage stability with retention of good applications properties for multicoat paint systems having been produced using the basecoat materials. Noteworthy above all are the small change in the high-shear viscosity of the basecoat material of the invention over a prolonged time period, a measure of the storage stability, with retention of the good applications properties, in particular the good pinholing behavior and also a good running stability. Moreover, the coating materials formulated with the dispersion can be produced in an environmentally advantageous way, more particularly with a high solids content and/or with reduction in the amount of specific solvents, with no disadvantages resulting in the storage stability area or in the area of applications properties.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a pigmented aqueous basecoat material (waterborne basecoat material) comprising at least one, preferably exactly one, specific polyurethane-polyurea dispersion (PD) and a specific solvent composition. All preferred embodiments specified later on below in relation to the dispersion (PD) are of course also applicable in relation to the basecoat material comprising the dispersion (PD).

A basecoat material is a color-imparting intermediate coating material that is used in automotive finishing and general industrial painting. This basecoat material is generally applied to a metallic or plastics substrate which has been pretreated with a baked (fully cured) primer-surfacer, or else, occasionally, is applied directly to the plastics substrate or directly to an electrocoated metallic substrate. Substrates used may also include existing paint systems, which may optionally require pretreatment as well (by abrading, for example). To protect a basecoat film from environmental effects in particular, at least one additional clearcoat film is generally applied over it. This is generally done in a wet-on-wet process—that is, the clearcoat material is applied without the basecoat film being cured. Curing then takes place, finally, together with the clearcoat.

The basecoat material of the invention comprises at least one, preferably exactly one, specific aqueous polyurethane-polyurea dispersion (PD).

The polymer particles present in the dispersion are therefore polyurethane-polyurea-based. Such polymers are preparable in principle by conventional polyaddition of, for example, polyisocyanates with polyols and also polyamines. With a view to the dispersion (PD) for use in accordance with the invention and to the polymer particles it contains, however, there are specific conditions to be observed, which are elucidated below.

The polyurethane-polyurea particles present in the aqueous polyurethane-polyurea dispersion (PD) possess a gel fraction of at least 50 wt % (for measurement method, see Example section). Moreover, the polyurethane-polyurea particles present in the dispersion (PD) possess an average particle size (volume average) of 40 to 2000 nanometers (nm) (for measurement method, see Example section).

The dispersions (PD) for use in accordance with the invention, therefore, are microgel dispersions. Indeed, as is known, a microgel dispersion is a polymer dispersion in which on the one hand the polymer is present in the form of comparatively small particles having particle sizes of, for example, 0.02 to 10 micrometers (“micro” gel). On the other hand, however, the polymer particles are at least partly intramolecularly crosslinked. The latter means that the polymer structures present within a particle equate to a typical macroscopic network, with three-dimensional network structure. Viewed macroscopically, however, a microgel dispersion of this kind continues to be a dispersion of polymer particles in a dispersion medium, water for example. While the particles may also in part have crosslinking bridges to one another (purely from the preparation process, this can hardly be ruled out), the system is nevertheless a dispersion with discrete particles included therein that have a measurable average particle size. On account of the molecular nature, however, they are in solution in suitable organic solvents, whereas macroscopic networks would only be swollen.

Because the microgels represent structures which lie between branched and macroscopically crosslinked systems, they combine, consequently, the characteristics of macromolecules with network structure that are soluble in suitable organic solvents, and insoluble macroscopic networks, and so the fraction of the crosslinked polymers can be determined, for example, only following isolation of the solid polymer, after removal of water and any organic solvents, and subsequent extraction. The phenomenon utilized here is that whereby the microgel particles, originally soluble in suitable organic solvents, retain their inner network structure after isolation, and behave, in the solid, like a macroscopic network. Crosslinking may be verified via the experimentally accessible gel fraction. The gel fraction is ultimately the fraction of the polymer from the dispersion that cannot be molecularly dispersely dissolved, as an isolated solid, in a solvent. It is necessary here to rule out a further increase in the gel fraction from crosslinking reactions subsequent to the isolation of the polymeric solid. This insoluble fraction corresponds in turn to the fraction of the polymer that is present in the dispersion in the form of intramolecularly crosslinked particles or particle fractions.

In the context of the present invention, it has emerged that only the specific solvent composition essential to the invention in combination with the microgel dispersions has all of the required application properties. Particularly important, therefore, is the combination of the stabilization of the polymer particles contained in the dispersion, said particles having fairly low particle sizes with the aid of the solvents used and, nevertheless, a significant crosslinked fraction or gel fraction. Only in this way is it possible to achieve the advantageous properties, more particularly the good storage stability of the aqueous basecoat materials while maintaining the good application properties of multicoat paint systems.

The polyurethane-polyurea particles present in the aqueous polyurethane-polyurea dispersion (PD) preferably possess a gel fraction of at least 50 wt %, more preferably of at least 65 wt %, especially preferably of at least 80 wt %. The gel fraction may therefore amount to up to 100 wt % or approximately 100 wt %, as for example 99 wt % or 98 wt %. In such a case, then, the entire—or almost the entire—polyurethane-polyurea polymer is present in the form of crosslinked particles.

The polyurethane-polyurea particles present in the dispersion (PD) preferably possess an average particle size (volume average) of 40 to 2000 nm, more preferably of 100 to 1500 nm, more preferably 110 to 500 nm, and even more preferably 120 to 300 nm. An especially preferred range is from 130 to 250 nm.

The polyurethane-polyurea dispersion (PD) obtained is aqueous. The expression “aqueous” is known in this context to the skilled person. It refers fundamentally to a system which comprises as its dispersion medium not exclusively or primarily organic solvents (also called solvents); instead, it comprises as its dispersion medium a significant fraction of water. Preferred embodiments of the aqueous character, defined on the basis of the maximum amount of organic solvents and/or on the basis of the amount of water, are described later on below.

The polyurethane-polyurea particles present in the dispersion (PD) comprise, in each case in reacted form, (Z.1.1) at least one polyurethane prepolymer containing isocyanate groups and comprising anionic groups and/or groups which can be converted into anionic groups, and also (Z.1.2) at least one polyamine comprising two primary amino groups and one or two secondary amino groups.

Where it is said in the context of the present invention that polymers, as for example the polyurethane-polyurea particles of the dispersion (PD), comprise certain components in reacted form, this means that these particular components are used as starting compounds for the preparation of the polymers in question. Depending on the nature of the starting compounds, the respective reaction to form the target polymer takes place according to different mechanisms. Presently, then, in the production of polyurethane-polyurea particles or polyurethane-polyurea polymers, components (Z.1.1) and (Z.1.2) are reacted with one another by reaction of the isocyanate groups of (Z.1.1) with the amino groups of (Z.1.2) to form urea bonds. The polymer in that case of course comprises the isocyanate groups and amino groups, previously present, in the form of urea groups, in other words in their correspondingly reacted form. Ultimately, nevertheless, the polymer comprises the two components (Z.1.1) and (Z.1.2), since apart from the reacted isocyanate groups and amino groups, the components remain unchanged. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, it is stated that the respective polymer comprises the components, in each case in reacted form. The meaning of the expression “the polymer comprises, in reacted form, a component (X)” can therefore be equated with the meaning of the expression “component (X) was used in the course of the preparation of the polymer”.

It follows from the above that anionic groups and/or groups which can be converted into anionic groups are introduced, via the aforementioned polyurethane prepolymer containing isocyanate groups, into the polyurethane-polyurea particles.

The polyurethane-polyurea particles consist preferably of the two components (Z.1.1) and (Z.1.2), meaning that they are prepared from these two components.

The aqueous dispersion (PD) can be obtained by a specific three-stage process, which is preferred. In the context of the description of this process, preferred embodiments of the components (Z.1.1) and (Z.1.2) are also stated.

In a first step (I) of this process, a specific composition (Z) is prepared.

The composition (Z) comprises at least one, preferably precisely one, specific intermediate (Z.1) which contains isocyanate groups and has blocked primary amino groups.

The preparation of the intermediate (Z.1) involves the reaction of at least one polyurethane prepolymer (Z.1.1), containing isocyanate groups and comprising anionic groups and/or groups which can be converted into anionic groups, with at least one polyamine (Z.1.2a) derived from a polyamine (Z.1.2), comprising two blocked primary amino groups and one or two free secondary amino groups.

Polyurethane polymers containing isocyanate groups and comprising anionic groups and/or groups which can be converted into anionic groups are known in principle. For the purposes of the present invention, component (Z.1.1) is referred to as prepolymer, for greater ease of comprehension. This component is in fact a polymer which can be referred to as a precursor, since it is used as a starting component for preparing another component, specifically the intermediate (Z.1).

For preparing the polyurethane prepolymers (Z.1.1) which contain isocyanate groups and comprise anionic groups and/or groups which can be converted into anionic groups, it is possible to employ the aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aliphatic-cycloaliphatic, aromatic, aliphatic-aromatic and/or cycloaliphatic-aromatic polyisocyanates that are known to the skilled person. Diisocyanates are used with preference. Mention may be made, by way of example, of the following diisocyanates: 1,3- or 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate, 2,4- or 2,6-tolylene diisocyanate, 4,4′- or 2,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 1,4- or 1,5-naphthylene diisocyanate, diisocyanatodiphenyl ether, trimethylene diisocyanate, tetramethylene diisocyanate, ethylethylene diisocyanate, 2,3-dimethylethylene diisocyanate, 1-methyltrimethylene diisocyanate, pentamethylene diisocyanate, 1,3-cyclopentylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, cyclohexylene diisocyanate, 1,2-cyclohexylene diisocyanate, octamethylene diisocyanate, trimethylhexane diisocyanate, tetramethylhexane diisocyanate, decamethylene diisocyanate, dodecamethylene diisocyanate, tetradecamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), 2-isocyanatopropylcyclohexyl isocyanate, dicyclohexylmethane 2,4′-diisocyanate, dicyclohexylmethane 4,4′-diisocyanate, 1,4- or 1,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)-cyclohexane, 1,4- or 1,3- or 1,2-diisocyanato-cyclohexane, 2,4- or 2,6-diisocyanato-1-methylcyclohexane, 1-isocyanatomethyl-5-isocyanato-1,3,3-trimethylcyclohexane, 2,3-bis(8-isocyanatooctyl)-4-octyl-5-hexylcyclohexene, tetramethylxylylene diisocyanates (TMXDI) such as m-tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate, or mixtures of these polyisocyanates. Also possible, of course, is the use of different dimers and trimers of the stated diisocyanates, such as uretdiones and isocyanurates. Polyisocyanates of higher isocyanate functionality may also be used. Examples thereof are tris(4-isocyanatophenyl)methane, 1,3,4-triisocyanatobenzene, 2,4,6-triisocyanato-toluene, 1,3,5-tris(6-isocyanatohexylbiuret), bis(2,5-diisocyanato-4-methylphenyl)methane. The functionality may optionally be lowered by reaction with monoalcohols and/or secondary amines. Preference, however, is given to using diisocyanates, more particularly to using aliphatic diisocyanates, such as hexamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), dicyclohexylmethane 4,4′-diisocyanate, 2,4- or 2,6-diisocyanato-1-methylcyclohexane, and m-tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate (m-TMXDI). An isocyanate is termed aliphatic when the isocyanate groups are attached to aliphatic groups; in other words, when there is no aromatic carbon present in alpha position to an isocyanate group.

The prepolymers (Z.1.1) are prepared by reacting the polyisocyanates with polyols, more particularly diols, generally with formation of urethanes.

Examples of suitable polyols are saturated or olefinically unsaturated polyester polyols and/or polyether polyols. Polyols used more particularly are polyester polyols, especially those having a number-average molecular weight of 400 to 5000 g/mol (for measurement method, see Example section). Such polyester polyols, preferably polyester diols, may be prepared in a known way by reaction of corresponding polycarboxylic acids, preferably dicarboxylic acids, and/or their anhydrides with corresponding polyols, preferably diols, by esterification. It is of course optionally possible in addition, even proportionally, to use monocarboxylic acids and/or monoalcohols for the preparation. The polyester diols are preferably saturated, more particularly saturated and linear.

Examples of suitable aromatic polycarboxylic acids for preparing such polyester polyols, preferably polyester diols, are phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and terephthalic acid, of which isophthalic acid is advantageous and is therefore used with preference. Examples of suitable aliphatic polycarboxylic acids are oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, undecanedicarboxylic acid, and dodecanedicarboxylic acid, or else hexahydrophthalic acid, 1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 4-methylhexahydrophthalic acid, tricyclodecane-dicarboxylic acid, and tetrahydrophthalic acid. As dicarboxylic acids it is likewise possible to use dimer fatty acids or dimerized fatty acids, which, as is known, are mixtures prepared by dimerizing unsaturated fatty acids and are available, for example, under the commercial names Radiacid (from Oleon) or Pripol (from Croda). In the context of the present invention, the use of such dimer fatty acids for preparing polyester diols is preferred. Polyols used with preference for preparing the prepolymers (Z.1.1) are therefore polyester diols which have been prepared using dimer fatty acids. Especially preferred are polyester diols in whose preparation at least 50 wt %, preferably 55 to 75 wt %, of the dicarboxylic acids employed are dimer fatty acids.

Examples of corresponding polyols for preparing polyester polyols, preferably polyester diols, are ethylene glycol, 1,2- or 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-, 1,3-, or 1,4-butanediol, 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4-, or 1,5-pentanediol, 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4-, 1,5-, or 1,6-hexanediol, neopentyl hydroxypivalate, neopentyl glycol, diethylene glycol, 1,2-, 1,3-, or 1,4-cyclohexanediol, 1,2-, 1,3-, or 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and trimethylpentanediol. Diols are therefore used with preference. Such polyols and/or diols may of course also be used directly for preparing the prepolymer (Z.1.1), in other words reacted directly with polyisocyanates.

Further possibilities for use in preparing the prepolymers (Z.1.1) are polyamines such as diamines and/or amino alcohols. Examples of diamines include hydrazine, alkyl- or cycloalkyldiamines such as propylene diamine and 1-amino-3-aminomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexane, and examples of amino alcohols include ethanolamine or diethanolamine.

The prepolymers (Z.1.1) comprise anionic groups and/or groups which can be converted into anionic groups (that is, groups which can be converted into anionic groups by the use of known neutralizing agents, and also neutralizing agents specified later on below, such as bases). As the skilled person is aware, these groups are, for example, carboxylic, sulfonic and/or phosphonic acid groups, especially preferably carboxylic acid groups (functional groups which can be converted into anionic groups by neutralizing agents), and also anionic groups derived from the aforementioned functional groups, such as, more particularly, carboxylate, sulfonate and/or phosphonate groups, preferably carboxylate groups. The introduction of such groups is known to increase the dispersibility in water. Depending on the conditions selected, the stated groups may be present proportionally or almost completely in the one form (carboxylic acid, for example) or the other form (carboxylate). One particular influencing factor resides, for example, in the use of the neutralizing agents which have already been addressed and which are described in even more detail later on below. If the prepolymer (Z.1.1) is mixed with such neutralizing agents, then an amount of the carboxylic acid groups is converted into carboxylate groups, this amount corresponding to the amount of the neutralizing agent. Irrespective of the form in which the stated groups are present, however, a uniform nomenclature is frequently selected in the context of the present invention, for greater ease of comprehension. Where, for example, a particular acid number is specified for a polymer, such as for a prepolymer (Z.1.1), or where such a polymer is referred to as carboxy-functional, this reference hereby always embraces not only the carboxylic acid groups but also the carboxylate groups. If there is to be any differentiation in this respect, such differentiation is dealt with, for example, using the degree of neutralization.

In order to introduce the stated groups, it is possible, during the preparation of the prepolymers (Z.1.1), to use starting compounds which as well as groups for reaction in the preparation of urethane bonds, preferably hydroxyl groups, further comprise the abovementioned groups, carboxylic acid groups for example. In this way the groups in question are introduced into the prepolymer.

Corresponding compounds contemplated for introducing the preferred carboxylic acid groups are polyether polyols and/or polyester polyols, provided they contain carboxyl groups. However, compounds used with preference are at any rate low molecular weight compounds which have at least one carboxylic acid group and at least one functional group reactive toward isocyanate groups, preferably hydroxyl groups. In the context of the present invention, the expression “low molecular weight compound”, as opposed to higher molecular weight compounds, especially polymers, should be understood to mean those to which a discrete molecular weight can be assigned, as preferably monomeric compounds. A low molecular weight compound is thus, more particularly, not a polymer, since the latter are always a mixture of molecules and have to be described using mean molecular weights. Preferably, the term “low molecular weight compound” is understood to mean that the corresponding compounds have a molecular weight of less than 300 g/mol. Preference is given to the range from 100 to 200 g/mol.

Compounds preferred in this context are, for example, monocarboxylic acids containing two hydroxyl groups, as for example dihydroxypropionic acid, dihydroxysuccinic acid, and dihydroxybenzoic acid. Very particular compounds are alpha,alpha-dimethylolalkanoic acids such as 2,2-dimethylolacetic acid, 2,2-dimethylolpropionic acid, 2,2-dimethylolbutyric acid and 2,2-dimethylolpentanoic acid, especially 2,2-dimethylolpropionic acid.

Preferably, therefore, the prepolymers (Z.1.1) are carboxy-functional. They preferably possess an acid number, based on the solids content, of 10 to 35 mg KOH/g, more particularly 15 to 23 mg KOH/g (for measurement method, see Example section).

The number-average molecular weight of the prepolymers may vary widely and is situated for example in the range from 2000 to 20 000 g/mol, preferably from 3500 to 6000 g/mol (for measurement method, see Example section).

The prepolymer (Z.1.1) contains isocyanate groups. Preferably, based on the solids content, it possesses an isocyanate content of 0.5 to 6.0 wt %, preferably 1.0 to 5.0 wt %, especially preferably 1.5 to 4.0 wt % (for measurement method, see Example section).

Given that the prepolymer (Z.1.1) contains isocyanate groups, the hydroxyl number of the prepolymer is likely in general to be very low. The hydroxyl number of the prepolymer, based on the solids content, is preferably less than 15 mg KOH/g, more particularly less than 10 mg KOH/g, even more preferably less than 5 mg KOH/g (for measurement method, see Example section).

The prepolymers (Z.1.1) may be prepared by known and established methods in bulk or solution, especially preferably by reaction of the starting compounds in organic solvents, such as preferably methyl ethyl ketone, at temperatures of, for example, 60 to 120° C., and optionally with use of catalysts typical for polyurethane preparation. Such catalysts are known to those skilled in the art, one example being dibutyltin laurate. The procedure here is of course to select the proportion of the starting components such that the product, in other words the prepolymer (Z.1.1), contains isocyanate groups. It is likewise directly apparent that the solvents ought to be selected in such a way that they do not enter into any unwanted reactions with the functional groups of the starting compounds, in other words being inert toward these groups to the effect that they do not hinder the reaction of these functional groups. The preparation is preferably actually carried out in an organic solvent (Z.2) as described later on below, since this solvent must in any case be present in the composition (Z) for preparation in stage (I) of the process.

As already indicated above, the groups in the prepolymer (Z.1.1) which can be converted into anionic groups may also be present proportionally as correspondingly anionic groups, as a result of the use of a neutralizing agent, for example. In this way it is possible to adjust the water-dispersibility of the prepolymers (Z.1.1) and hence also of the intermediate (Z.1).

Neutralizing agents contemplated include, in particular, the known basic neutralizing agents such as, for example, carbonates, hydrogencarbonates, or hydroxides of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, such as LiOH, NaOH, KOH, or Ca(OH)₂ for example. Likewise suitable for the neutralization and preferred for use in the context of the present invention are organic bases containing nitrogen, such as amines, such as ammonia, trimethylamine, triethylamine, tributylamines, dimethylaniline, triphenylamine, dimethylethanolamine, methyldiethanolamine, or triethanolamine, and also mixtures thereof.

The neutralization of the prepolymer (Z.1.1) with the neutralizing agents, more particularly with the nitrogen-containing organic bases, may take place after the preparation of the prepolymer in organic phase, in other words in solution with an organic solvent, more particularly a solvent (Z.2) as described later on below. The neutralizing agent may of course also be added during or before the beginning of the actual polymerization, in which case, for example, the starting compounds containing carboxylic acid groups are neutralized.

If neutralization of the groups which can be converted into anionic groups, more particularly of the carboxylic acid groups, is desired, the neutralizing agent may be added, for example, in an amount such that a proportion of 35% to 65% of the groups is neutralized (degree of neutralization). Preference is given to a range from 40% to 60% (for method of calculation, see Example section).

The prepolymer (Z.1.1) is preferably neutralized as described after its preparation and before its use for preparing the intermediate (Z.1).

The preparation described here of the intermediate (Z.1) involves the reaction of the above-described prepolymer (Z.1.1) with at least one, preferably precisely one, polyamine (Z.1.2a) derived from a polyamine (Z.1.2).

The polyamine (Z.1.2a) comprises two blocked primary amino groups and one or two free secondary amino groups.

Blocked amino groups, as is known, are those in which the hydrogen residues on the nitrogen that are present inherently in free amino groups have been substituted by reversible reaction with a blocking agent. In view of the blocking, the amino groups cannot be reacted like free amino groups, via condensation reactions or addition reactions, and in this respect are therefore nonreactive, thereby differentiating them from free amino groups. The reactions known per se for the amino groups are then evidently only enabled after the reversibly adducted blocking agent has been removed again, thereby producing in turn the free amino groups. The principle therefore resembles the principle of capped or blocked isocyanates, which are likewise known within the field of polymer chemistry.

The primary amino groups of the polyamine (Z.1.2a) may be blocked with the blocking agents that are known per se, as for example with ketones and/or aldehydes. Such blocking in that case, with release of water, produces ketimines and/or aldimines which no longer contain any nitrogen-hydrogen bonds, meaning that typical condensation reactions or addition reactions of an amino group with a further functional group, such as an isocyanate group, are unable to take place.

Reaction conditions for the preparation of a blocked primary amine of this kind, such as of a ketimine, for example, are known. Thus, for example, such blocking may be realized with introduction of heat to a mixture of a primary amine with an excess of a ketone which functions at the same time as a solvent for the amine. The water of reaction formed is preferably removed during the reaction, in order to prevent the possibility otherwise of reverse reaction (deblocking) of the reversible blocking.

The reaction conditions for deblocking of blocked primary amino groups are also known per se. For example, simply the transfer of a blocked amine to the aqueous phase is sufficient to shift the equilibrium back to the side of the deblocking, as a result of the concentration pressure that then exists, exerted by the water, and thereby to generate free primary amino groups and also a free ketone, with consumption of water.

It follows from the above that in the context of the present invention, a clear distinction is being made between blocked and free amino groups. If, nevertheless, an amino group is specified neither as being blocked nor as being free, the reference there is to a free amino group.

Preferred blocking agents for blocking the primary amino groups of the polyamine (Z.1.2a) are ketones. Particularly preferred among the ketones are those which constitute an organic solvent (Z.2) as described later on below. The reason is that these solvents (Z.2) must be present in any case in the composition (Z) for preparation in stage (I) of the process. It has already been indicated above that the preparation of corresponding primary amines blocked with a ketone proceeds to particularly good effect in an excess of the ketone. Through the use of ketones (Z.2) for the blocking, therefore, it is possible to use the correspondingly preferred preparation procedure for blocked amines, without any need for costly and inconvenient removal of the blocking agent, which may be unwanted. Instead, the solution of the blocked amine can be used directly in order to prepare the intermediate (Z.1). Preferred blocking agents are acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, diisopropyl ketone, cyclopentanone, or cyclohexanone, particularly preferred agents are the ketones (Z.2) methyl ethyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone.

The preferred blocking with ketones and/or aldehydes, more particularly ketones, and the accompanying preparation of ketimines and/or aldimines, has the advantage, moreover, that primary amino groups are blocked selectively. Secondary amino groups present are evidently unable to be blocked, and therefore remain free. Consequently a polyamine (Z.1.2a) which as well as the two blocked primary amino groups also contains one or two free secondary amino groups can be prepared readily by way of the stated preferred blocking reactions from a polyamine (Z.1.2) which contains free secondary and primary amino groups.

The polyamines (Z.1.2a) may be prepared by blocking the primary amino groups of polyamines (Z.1.2) containing two primary amino groups and one or two secondary amino groups. Ultimately suitable are all aliphatic, aromatic, or araliphatic (mixed aliphatic-aromatic) polyamines (Z.1.2) which are known per se and which have two primary amino groups and one or two secondary amino groups. This means that as well as the stated amino groups, there may per se be any aliphatic, aromatic, or araliphatic groups present. Possible, for example, are monovalent groups located as terminal groups on a secondary amino group, or divalent groups located between two amino groups.

Aliphatic in the context of the present invention is an epithet referring to all organic groups which are not aromatic. For example, the groups present as well as the stated amino groups may be aliphatic hydrocarbon groups, in other words groups which consist exclusively of carbon and hydrogen and which are not aromatic. These aliphatic hydrocarbon groups may be linear, branched, or cyclic, and may be saturated or unsaturated. These groups may of course also include both cyclic and linear or branched moieties. It is also possible for aliphatic groups to contain heteroatoms, more particularly in the form of bridging groups such as ether, ester, amide and/or urethane groups. Possible aromatic groups are likewise known and require no further elucidation.

The polyamines (Z.1.2a) preferably possess two blocked primary amino groups and one or two free secondary amino groups, and as primary amino groups they possess exclusively blocked primary amino groups, and as secondary amino groups they possess exclusively free secondary amino groups.

Preferably, in total, the polyamines (Z.1.2a) possess three or four amino groups, these groups being selected from the group consisting of the blocked primary amino groups and of the free secondary amino groups.

Especially preferred polyamines (Z.1.2a) are those which consist of two blocked primary amino groups, one or two free secondary amino groups, and also aliphatically saturated hydrocarbon groups.

Analogous preferred embodiments apply to the polyamines (Z.1.2), free primary amino groups then being present therein instead of blocked primary amino groups.

Examples of preferred polyamines (Z.1.2) from which polyamines (Z.1.2a) may also be prepared by blocking of the primary amino groups are diethylenetriamine, 3-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropylamine, dipropylene-triamine, and also N1-(2-(4-(2-aminoethyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (one secondary amino group, two primary amino groups for blocking) and triethylenetetramine, and also N,N′-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylenediamine (two secondary amino groups, two primary amino groups for blocking).

To the skilled person it is clear that not least for reasons associated with pure technical synthesis, there cannot always be a theoretically idealized quantitative conversion in the blocking of primary amino groups. For example, if a particular amount of a polyamine is blocked, the proportion of the primary amino groups that are blocked in the blocking process may be, for example, 95 mol % or more (determinable by IR spectroscopy; see Example section). Where a polyamine in the nonblocked state, for example, possesses two free primary amino groups, and where the primary amino groups of a certain quantity of this amine are then blocked, it is said in the context of the present invention that this amine has two blocked primary amino groups if a fraction of more than 95 mol % of the primary amino groups present in the quantity employed are blocked. This is due on the one hand to the fact, already stated, that from a technical synthesis standpoint, a quantitative conversion cannot always be realized. On the other hand, the fact that more than 95 mol % of the primary amino groups are blocked means that the major fraction of the total amount of the amines used for blocking does in fact contain exclusively blocked primary amino groups, specifically exactly two blocked primary amino groups.

The preparation of the intermediate (Z.1) involves the reaction of the prepolymer (Z.1.1) with the polyamine (Z.1.2a) by addition reaction of isocyanate groups from (Z.1.1) with free secondary amino groups from (Z.1.2a). This reaction, which is known per se, then leads to the attachment of the polyamine (Z.1.2a) onto the prepolymer (Z.1.1), with formation of urea bonds, ultimately forming the intermediate (Z.1). It will be readily apparent that in the preparation of the intermediate (Z.1), preference is thus given to not using any other amines having free or blocked secondary or free or blocked primary amino groups.

The intermediate (Z.1) can be prepared by known and established techniques in bulk or solution, especially preferably by reaction of (Z.1.1) with (Z.1.2a) in organic solvents. It is immediately apparent that the solvents ought to be selected in such a way that they do not enter into any unwanted reactions with the functional groups of the starting compounds, and are therefore inert or largely inert in their behavior toward these groups. As solvent in the preparation, preference is given to using, at least proportionally, an organic solvent (Z.2) as described later on below, especially methyl ethyl ketone, even at this stage, since this solvent must in any case be present in the composition (Z) to be prepared in stage (I) of the process. With preference a solution of a prepolymer (Z.1.1) in a solvent (Z.2) is mixed with a solution of a polyamine (Z.1.2a) in a solvent (Z.2), and the reaction described can take place.

Of course, the intermediate (Z.1) thus prepared may be neutralized during or after the preparation, using neutralizing agents already described above, in the manner likewise described above for the prepolymer (Z.1.1). It is nevertheless preferred for the prepolymer (Z.1.1) to be neutralized prior to its use for preparing the intermediate (Z.1), in a manner described above, so that neutralization during or after the preparation of (Z.1) is no longer relevant. In such a case, therefore, the degree of neutralization of the prepolymer (Z.1.1) can be equated with the degree of neutralization of the intermediate (Z.1). Where there is no further addition of neutralizing agents at all in the context of the process, therefore, the degree of neutralization of the polymers present in the ultimately prepared dispersions (PD) of the invention can also be equated with the degree of neutralization of the prepolymer (Z.1.1).

The intermediate (Z.1) possesses blocked primary amino groups. This can evidently be achieved in that the free secondary amino groups are brought to reaction in the reaction of the prepolymer (Z.1.1) and of the polyamine (Z.1.2a), but the blocked primary amino groups are not reacted. Indeed, as already described above, the effect of the blocking is that typical condensation reactions or addition reactions with other functional groups, such as isocyanate groups, are unable to take place. This of course means that the conditions for the reaction should be selected such that the blocked amino groups also remain blocked, in order thereby to provide an intermediate (Z.1). The skilled person knows how to set such conditions, which are brought about, for example, by reaction in organic solvents, which is preferred in any case.

The intermediate (Z.1) contains isocyanate groups. Accordingly, in the reaction of (Z.1.1) and (Z.1.2a), the ratio of these components must of course be selected such that the product—that is, the intermediate (Z.1)—contains isocyanate groups.

Since, as described above, in the reaction of (Z.1.1) with (Z.1.2a), free secondary amino groups are reacted with isocyanate groups, but the primary amino groups are not reacted, owing to the blocking, it is first of all immediately clear that in this reaction the molar ratio of isocyanate groups from (Z.1.1) to free secondary amino groups from (Z.1.2a) must be greater than 1. This feature arises implicitly, nevertheless clearly and directly from the feature essential to the invention, namely that the intermediate (Z.1) contains isocyanate groups.

It is nevertheless preferred for there to be an excess of isocyanate groups, defined as below, during the reaction. The molar amounts (n) of isocyanate groups, free secondary amino groups, and blocked primary amino groups, in this preferred embodiment, satisfy the following condition: [n (isocyanate groups from (Z.1.1))−n (free secondary amino groups from (Z.1.2a))]/n (blocked primary amino groups from (Z.1.2a))=1.2/1 to 4/1, preferably 1.5/1 to 3/1, very preferably 1.8/1 to 2.2/1, even more preferably 2/1.

In this preferred embodiment, the intermediate (Z.1), formed by reaction of isocyanate groups from (Z.1.1) with the free secondary amino groups from (Z.1.2a), possesses an excess of isocyanate groups in relation to the blocked primary amino groups. This excess is ultimately achieved by selecting the molar ratio of isocyanate groups from (Z.1.1) to the total amount of free secondary amino groups and blocked primary amino groups from (Z.1.2a) to be large enough that even after the preparation of (Z.1) and the corresponding consumption of isocyanate groups by the reaction with the free secondary amino groups, there remains a corresponding excess of the isocyanate groups.

Where, for example, the polyamine (Z.1.2a) has one free secondary amino group and two blocked primary amino groups, the molar ratio between the isocyanate groups from (Z.1.1) to the polyamine (Z.1.2a) in the especially preferred embodiment is set at 5/1. The consumption of one isocyanate group in the reaction with the free secondary amino group would then mean that 4/2 (or 2/1) was realized for the condition stated above.

The fraction of the intermediate (Z.1) is from 15 to 65 wt %, preferably from 25 to 60 wt %, more preferably from 30 to 55 wt %, especially preferably from 35 to 52.5 wt %, and, in one very particular embodiment, from 40 to 50 wt %, based in each case on the total amount of the composition (Z).

Determining the fraction of an intermediate (Z.1) may be carried out as follows: The solids content of a mixture which besides the intermediate (Z.1) contains only organic solvents is ascertained (for measurement method for determining the solids (also called solids content, see Example section). The solids content then corresponds to the amount of the intermediate (Z.1). By taking account of the solids content of the mixture, therefore, it is possible to determine or specify the fraction of the intermediate (Z.1) in the composition (Z). Given that the intermediate (Z.1) is preferably prepared in an organic solvent anyway, and therefore, after the preparation, is in any case present in a mixture which comprises only organic solvents apart from the intermediate, this is the technique of choice.

The composition (Z) further comprises at least one specific organic solvent (Z.2).

The solvents (Z.2) possess a solubility in water of not more than 38 wt % at a temperature of 20° C. (for measurement method, see Example section). The solubility in water at a temperature of 20° C. is preferably less than 30 wt %. A preferred range is from 1 to 30 wt %.

The solvent (Z.2) accordingly possesses a fairly moderate solubility in water, being in particular not fully miscible with water or possessing no infinite solubility in water. A solvent is fully miscible with water when it can be mixed in any proportions with water without occurrence of separation, in other words of the formation of two phases.

Examples of solvents (Z.2) are methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, diethyl ether, dibutyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, ethylene glycol diethyl ether, toluene, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, propylene carbonate, cyclohexanone, or mixtures of these solvents. Preference is given to methyl ethyl ketone, which has a solubility in water of 24 wt % at 20° C.

No specific organic solvents (Z.2) are therefore solvents such as acetone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, N-formylmorpholine, dimethylformamide, or dimethyl sulfoxide.

A particular effect of selecting the specific solvents (Z.2) of only limited solubility in water is that when the composition (Z) is dispersed in aqueous phase, in step (II) of the process, a homogeneous solution cannot be directly formed. It is assumed that the dispersion that is present instead makes it possible for the crosslinking reactions that occur as part of step (II) (addition reactions of free primary amino groups and isocyanate groups to form urea bonds) to take place in a restricted volume, thereby ultimately allowing the formation of the microparticles defined as above.

As well as having the water-solubility described, preferred solvents (Z.2) possess a boiling point of not more than 120° C., more preferably of not more than 90° C. (under atmospheric pressure, in other words 1.013 bar). This has advantages in the context of step (III) of the process, said step being described later on below, in other words the at least partial removal of the at least one organic solvent (Z.2) from the dispersion prepared in step (II) of the process. The reason is evidently that, when using the solvents (Z.2) that are preferred in this context, these solvents can be removed by distillation, for example, without the removal simultaneously of significant quantities of the water introduced in step (II) of the process. There is therefore no need, for example, for the laborious re-addition of water in order to retain the aqueous nature of the dispersion (PD).

The fraction of the at least one organic solvent (Z.2) is from 35 to 85 wt %, preferably from 40 to 75 wt %, more preferably from 45 to 70 wt %, especially preferably from 47.5 to 65 wt %, and, in one very particular embodiment, from 50 to 60 wt %, based in each case on the total amount of the composition (Z).

In the context of the present invention it has emerged that through the specific combination of a fraction as specified above for the intermediate (Z.1) in the composition (Z), and through the selection of the specific solvents (Z.2) it is possible, after the below-described steps (II) and (III), to provide polyurethane-polyurea dispersions which comprise polyurethane-polyurea particles having the requisite particle size, which further have the requisite gel fraction.

The components (Z.1) and (Z.2) described preferably make up in total at least 90 wt % of the composition (Z). Preferably the two components make up at least 95 wt %, more particularly at least 97.5 wt %, of the composition (Z). With very particular preference, the composition (Z) consists of these two components. In this context it should be noted that where neutralizing agents as described above are used, these neutralizing agents are ascribed to the intermediate when calculating the amount of an intermediate (Z.1). The reason is that in this case the intermediate (Z.1) at any rate possesses anionic groups, which originate from the use of the neutralizing agent. Accordingly, the cation that is present after these anionic groups have formed is likewise ascribed to the intermediate.

Where the composition (Z) includes other components, in addition to components (Z.1) and (Z.2), these other components are preferably just organic solvents. The solids content of the composition (Z) therefore corresponds preferably to the fraction of the intermediate (Z.1) in the composition (Z). The composition (Z) therefore possesses preferably a solids content of 15 to 65 wt %, preferably of 25 to 60 wt %, more preferably of 30 to 55 wt %, especially preferably of 35 to 52.5 wt %, and, in one especially preferred embodiment, of 40 to 50 wt %.

A particularly preferred composition (Z) therefore contains in total at least 90 wt % of components (Z.1) and (Z.2), and other than the intermediate (Z.1) includes exclusively organic solvents.

An advantage of the composition (Z) is that it can be prepared without the use of eco-unfriendly and health-injurious organic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, and N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone. Preferably, accordingly, the composition (Z) contains less than 10 wt %, preferably less than 5 wt %, more preferably less than 2.5 wt % of organic solvents selected from the group consisting of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, and N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone. The composition (Z) is preferably entirely free from these organic solvents.

In a second step (II) of the process described here, the composition (Z) is dispersed in aqueous phase.

It is known, and also follows from what has already been said above, that in step (II), therefore, there is a deblocking of the blocked primary amino groups of the intermediate (Z.1). Indeed, as a result of the transfer of a blocked amine to the aqueous phase, the reversibly attached blocking agent is released, with consumption of water, and free primary amino groups are formed.

It is likewise clear, therefore, that the resulting free primary amino groups are then reacted with isocyanate groups likewise present in the intermediate (Z.1), or in the deblocked intermediate formed from the intermediate (Z.1), by addition reaction, with formation of urea bonds.

It is also known that the transfer to the aqueous phase means that it is possible in principle for the isocyanate groups in the intermediate (Z.1), or in the deblocked intermediate formed from the intermediate (Z.1), to react with the water, with elimination of carbon dioxide, to form free primary amino groups, which can then be reacted in turn with isocyanate groups still present.

Of course, the reactions and conversions referred to above proceed in parallel with one another. Ultimately, as a result, for example, of intermolecular and intramolecular reaction or crosslinking, a dispersion is formed which comprises polyurethane-polyurea particles with defined average particle size and with defined degree of crosslinking or gel fraction.

In step (II) of the process described here, the composition (Z) is dispersed in water, there being a deblocking of the blocked primary amino groups of the intermediate (Z.1) and a reaction of the resulting free primary amino groups with the isocyanate groups of the intermediate (Z.1) and also with the isocyanate groups of the deblocked intermediate formed from the intermediate (Z.1), by addition reaction.

Step (II) of the process described here, in other words the dispersing in aqueous phase, may take place in any desired way. This means that ultimately the only important thing is that the composition (Z) is mixed with water or with an aqueous phase. With preference, the composition (Z), which after the preparation may be for example at room temperature (in other words 20° C.) or at a temperature increased relative to room temperature, of 30 to 60° C., for example, can be stirred into water, producing a dispersion. The water already introduced has room temperature, for example. Dispersion may take place in pure water (deionized water), meaning that the aqueous phase consists solely of water, this being preferred. Besides water, of course, the aqueous phase may also include, proportionally, typical auxiliaries such as typical emulsifiers and protective colloids. A compilation of suitable emulsifiers and protective colloids is found in, for example, Houben Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie [Methods of Organic Chemistry], volume XIV/1 Makromolekulare Stoffe [Macromolecular compounds], Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart 1961, p. 411 ff.

It is of advantage if in stage (II) of the process, in other words at the dispersing of the composition (Z) in aqueous phase, the weight ratio of organic solvents and water is selected such that the resulting dispersion has a weight ratio of water to organic solvents of greater than 1, preferably of 1.05 to 2/1, especially preferably of 1.1 to 1.5/1.

In step (III) of the process described here, the at least one organic solvent (Z.2) is removed at least partly from the dispersion obtained in step (II). Of course, step (III) of the process may also entail removal of other solvents as well, possibly present, for example, in the composition (Z).

The removal of the at least one organic solvent (Z.2) and of any further organic solvents may be accomplished in any way which is known, as for example by vacuum distillation at temperatures slightly raised relative to room temperature, of 30 to 60° C., for example.

The resulting polyurethane-polyurea dispersion (PD) is aqueous (regarding the basic definition of “aqueous”, see earlier on above).

A particular advantage of the dispersion (PD) for use in accordance with the invention is that it can be formulated with only very small fractions of organic solvents, yet enables the advantages described at the outset in accordance with the invention. The dispersion (PD) for use in accordance with the invention contains preferably not more than 15.0 wt %, especially preferably not more than 10 wt %, very preferably not more than 5 wt % and once again preferably not more than 2.5 wt % of organic solvents (for measurement method, see Example section).

The fraction of the polyurethane-polyurea polymer in the dispersion (PD) is preferably 25 to 55 wt %, preferably 30 to 50 wt %, more preferably 35 to 45 wt %, based in each case on the total amount of the dispersion (determined as for the determination described above for the intermediate (Z.1) via the solids content).

The fraction of water in the dispersion (PD) is preferably 45 to 75 wt %, preferably 50 to 70 wt %, more preferably 55 to 65 wt %, based in each case on the total amount of the dispersion.

It is a particular advantage of the dispersion (PD) for inventive use that it can be formulated in such a way that it consists to an extent of at least 90 wt %, preferably at least 92.5 wt %, very preferably at least 95 wt %, and more preferably at least 97.5 wt %, of the polyurethane-polyurea particles and water (the associated value is obtained by summing the amount of the particles (that is, of the polymer, determined via the solids content) and the amount of water). It has emerged that in spite of this small fraction of further components such as organic solvents in particular, the dispersions are in any case very stable, especially storage-stable. In this way, two relevant advantages are combined. First, dispersions are provided which can be used in aqueous basecoat materials, where they lead to the applications advantages described at the outset and also in the examples to follow. Secondly, however, a commensurate freedom of formulation in the production of aqueous basecoat materials is achieved. This means that additional fractions of organic solvents can be used in the basecoat materials, as are necessary, for example, in order to formulate different components commensurately. At the same time, however, there is no threat to the fundamentally aqueous nature of the basecoat material. On the contrary: the basecoat materials can still be formulated with comparatively low fractions of organic solvents, and they therefore have a particularly good environmental profile.

Even more preferred is for the dispersion, other than the polymer, to include only water and any organic solvents, in the form, for example, of residual fractions, not fully removed in stage (III) of the process. The solids content of the dispersion (PD) is therefore preferably 25% to 55%, preferably 30% to 50%, more preferably 35% to 45%, and more preferably still is in agreement with the fraction of the polymer in the dispersion.

An advantage of the dispersion (PD) is that it can be prepared without the use of eco-unfriendly and health-injurious organic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, and N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone. Accordingly the dispersion (PD) contains preferably less than 7.5 wt %, preferably less than 5 wt %, more preferably less than 2.5 wt % of organic solvents selected from the group consisting of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, and N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone. The dispersion (PD) is preferably entirely free from these organic solvents.

Based on the solids content, the polyurethane-polyurea polymer present in the dispersion preferably possesses an acid number of 10 to 35 mg KOH/g, more particularly of 15 to 23 mg KOH/g (for measurement method, see Example section).

The polyurethane-polyurea polymer present in the dispersion preferably possesses hardly any hydroxyl groups, or none. The OH number of the polymer, based on the solids content, is preferably less than 15 mg KOH/g, more particularly less than 10 mg KOH/g, more preferably still less than 5 mg KOH/g (for measurement method, see Example section).

The fraction of the dispersions (PD) for use in accordance with the invention, based on the total weight of the pigmented aqueous basecoat material, is preferably 2.5 to 60 wt %, more preferably 10 to 50 wt %, and very preferably 15 to 40 wt % or even 15 to 30 wt %.

The fraction of the polyurethane-polyurea polymers originating from the dispersions (PD), based on the total weight of the aqueous basecoat material, is preferably from 0.6 to 33.0 wt %, preferably 3.0 to 25.0 wt %, more preferably 5.0 to 18.0 wt %.

Determining or specifying the fraction of the polyurethane-polyurea polymers originating from the dispersions (PD) in the basecoat material may be done via the determination of the solids content of a dispersion (PD) for use in accordance with the invention which is to be used in the basecoat material.

In the case of a possible particularization to basecoat materials comprising preferred dispersions (PD) in a specific proportional range, the following applies. The dispersions (PD) which do not fall within the preferred group may of course still be present in the basecoat material. In that case the specific proportional range applies only to the preferred group of dispersions (PD). It is preferred nonetheless for the total proportion of dispersions (PD), consisting of dispersions from the preferred group and dispersions which are not part of the preferred group, to be subject likewise to the specific proportional range.

In the case of restriction to a proportional range of 3 to 25 wt % and to a preferred group of dispersions (PD), therefore, this proportional range evidently applies initially only to the preferred group of dispersions (PD). In that case, however, it would be preferable for there to be likewise from 3 to 25 wt % in total present of all originally encompassed dispersions, consisting of dispersions from the preferred group and dispersions which do not form part of the preferred group. If, therefore, 15 wt % of dispersions (PD) of the preferred group are used, not more than 10 wt % of the dispersions of the non-preferred group may be used.

The stated principle is valid, for the purposes of the present invention, for all stated components of the basecoat material and for their proportional ranges—for example, for the pigments specified later on below, or else for the crosslinking agents specified later on below, such as melamine resins.

The basecoat material for use in accordance with the invention preferably comprises at least one pigment.

These are understood to mean coloring and/or visual effect pigments known per se.

Such color pigments and effect pigments are known to those skilled in the art and are described, for example, in Römpp-Lexikon Lacke und Druckfarben, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, New York, 1998, pages 176 and 451. The terms “coloring pigment” and “color pigment” are interchangeable, just like the terms “visual effect pigment” and “effect pigment”.

Preferred effect pigments are, for example, platelet-shaped metal effect pigments such as lamellar aluminum pigments, gold bronzes, oxidized bronzes and/or iron oxide-aluminum pigments, pearlescent pigments such as pearl essence, basic lead carbonate, bismuth oxide chloride and/or metal oxide-mica pigments and/or other effect pigments such as lamellar graphite, lamellar iron oxide, multilayer effect pigments composed of PVD films and/or liquid crystal polymer pigments. Particularly preferred are platelet-shaped metal effect pigments, more particularly lamellar aluminum pigments.

Typical color pigments especially include inorganic coloring pigments such as white pigments such as titanium dioxide, zinc white, zinc sulfide or lithopone; black pigments such as carbon black, iron manganese black, or spinel black; chromatic pigments such as chromium oxide, chromium oxide hydrate green, cobalt green or ultramarine green, cobalt blue, ultramarine blue or manganese blue, ultramarine violet or cobalt violet and manganese violet, red iron oxide, cadmium sulfoselenide, molybdate red or ultramarine red; brown iron oxide, mixed brown, spinel phases and corundum phases or chromium orange; or yellow iron oxide, nickel titanium yellow, chromium titanium yellow, cadmium sulfide, cadmium zinc sulfide, chromium yellow or bismuth vanadate.

The fraction of the pigments is preferably situated in the range from 1.0 to 30.0 wt %, preferably 1.5 to 20.0 wt %, more preferably 2.0 to 15.0 wt %, based in each case on the total weight of the aqueous basecoat material.

Through the use of the dispersion (PD) and of the polymer present therein, the basecoat material of the invention comprises curable binders. A “binder” in the context of the present invention and in accordance with relevant DIN EN ISO 4618 is the nonvolatile component of a coating composition, without pigments and fillers. Specific binders, accordingly, also include, for example, typical coatings additives, the polymer present in the dispersion (PD), or further polymers which can be used, as described below, and typical crosslinking agents as described below. Hereinafter, however, the expression, for the sake simply of better clarity, is used principally in relation to particular physically curable polymers which optionally may also be thermally curable, examples being the polymers in the dispersions (PD), or else different polyurethanes, polyesters, polyacrylates and/or copolymers of the stated polymers.

In the context of the present invention, the term “physical curing” means the formation of a film through loss of solvents from polymer solutions or polymer dispersions. Typically, no crosslinking agents are necessary for this curing.

In the context of the present invention, the term “thermal curing” denotes the heat-initiated crosslinking of a coating film, with either self-crosslinking binders or else a separate crosslinking agent, in combination with a polymer as binder, (external crosslinking), being used in the parent coating material. The crosslinking agent comprises reactive functional groups which are complementary to the reactive functional groups present in the binders. As a result of the reaction of the groups, there is then crosslinking and hence, ultimately, the formation of a macroscopically crosslinked coating film.

It is clear that the binder components present in a coating material always exhibit at least a proportion of physical curing. If, therefore, it is said that a coating material comprises binder components which are thermally curable, this of course does not rule out the curing including a proportion of physical curing as well.

The basecoat material of the invention preferably further comprises at least one polymer as binder that is different from the polyurethane-polyurea polymer present in the dispersion (PD), more particularly at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyesters, polyacrylates and/or copolymers of the stated polymers, more particularly polyesters and/or polyurethane polyacrylates. Preferred polyesters are described, for example, in DE 4009858 A1 in column 6 line 53 to column 7 line 61 and column 10 line 24 to column 13 line 3 or in US 2014/0065428 A1 page 2 [0025] to [0035]. Preferred polyurethane-polyacrylate copolymers (acrylated polyurethanes) and their preparation are described in, for example, WO 91/15528 A1, page 3, line 21 to page 20, line 33, and DE 4437535 A1, page 2, line 27 to page 6, line 22. The described polymers as binders are preferably hydroxy-functional and especially preferably possess an OH number in the range from 20 to 200 mg KOH/g, more preferably from 50 to 150 mg KOH/g. The basecoat materials of the invention more preferably comprise at least one hydroxy-functional polyurethane-polyacrylate copolymer, more preferably still at least one hydroxy-functional polyurethane-polyacrylate copolymer and also at least one hydroxy-functional polyester.

The proportion of the further polymers as binders may vary widely and is situated preferably in the range from 0.5 to 20.0 wt %, more preferably 1.0 to 15.0 wt %, very preferably 1.5 to 10.0 wt %, based in each case on the total weight of the basecoat material of the invention.

The basecoat material of the invention preferably further comprises at least one typical crosslinking agent known per se. It preferably comprises, as a crosslinking agent, at least one aminoplast resin and/or a blocked polyisocyanate, preferably an aminoplast resin. Among the aminoplast resins, melamine resins in particular are preferred.

The proportion of the crosslinking agents, more particularly aminoplast resins and/or blocked polyisocyanates, very preferably aminoplast resins and, of these, preferably melamine resins, is preferably in the range from 0.5 to 20.0 wt %, more preferably 1.0 to 15.0 wt %, very preferably 1.5 to 10.0 wt %, based in each case on the total weight of the basecoat material of the invention.

Preferably, the coating composition of the invention additionally comprises at least one thickener.

Suitable thickeners are inorganic thickeners from the group of the phyllosilicates such as lithium aluminum magnesium silicates. It is nevertheless known that coating materials whose profile of rheological properties is determined via the primary or predominant use of such inorganic thickeners are in need of improvement in terms of their solids content, in other words can be formulated only with decidedly low solids contents of less than 20%, for example, without detriment to important applications properties. A particular advantage of the basecoat material of the invention is that it can be formulated without, or without a great fraction of, such inorganic phyllosilicates employed as thickeners. Accordingly, the fraction of inorganic phyllosilicates used as thickeners, based on the total weight of the basecoat material, is preferably less than 0.5 wt %, especially preferably less than 0.1 wt %, and more preferably still less than 0.05 wt %. With very particular preference, the basecoat material is entirely free of such inorganic phyllosilicates used as thickeners.

Instead, the basecoat material preferably comprises at least one organic thickener, as for example a (meth)acrylic acid-(meth)acrylate copolymer thickener or a polyurethane thickener. Employed with preference are associative thickeners, such as the associative polyurethane thickeners known per se, for example. Associative thickeners, as is known, are water-soluble polymers which have strongly hydrophobic groups at the chain ends or in side chains, and/or whose hydrophilic chains contain hydrophobic blocks or concentrations in their interior. As a result, these polymers possess a surfactant character and are capable of forming micelles in aqueous phase. In similarity with the surfactants, the hydrophilic regions remain in the aqueous phase, while the hydrophobic regions enter into the particles of polymer dispersions, adsorb on the surface of other solid particles such as pigments and/or fillers, and/or form micelles in the aqueous phase. Ultimately a thickening effect is achieved, without any increase in sedimentation behavior. Thickeners of this kind are available commercially, as for example under the trade name Adekanol (from Adeka Corporation).

The proportion of the organic thickeners is preferably in the range from 0.01 to 5.0 wt %, more preferably 0.02 to 3.0 wt %, very preferably 0.05 to 3.0 wt %, based in each case on the total weight of the basecoat material of the invention.

Furthermore, the basecoat material of the invention may further comprise at least one further adjuvant. Examples of such adjuvants are salts which are thermally decomposable without residue or substantially without residue, polymers as binders that are curable physically, thermally and/or with actinic radiation and that are different from the polymers already stated as binders, further crosslinking agents, reactive diluents, transparent pigments, fillers, molecularly dispersively soluble dyes, nanoparticles, light stabilizers, antioxidants, deaerating agents, emulsifiers, slip additives, polymerization inhibitors, initiators of radical polymerizations, adhesion promoters, flow control agents, film-forming assistants, sag control agents (SCAs), flame retardants, corrosion inhibitors, waxes, siccatives, biocides, and matting agents. Such adjuvants are used in the customary and known amounts.

The solids content of the basecoat material of the invention may vary according to the requirements of the case in hand. The solids content is guided primarily by the viscosity that is needed for application, more particularly spray application. A particular advantage is that the basecoat material of the invention, for a comparatively high solids content, is able nevertheless to have a viscosity which allows appropriate application and has a stable long-term viscosity which imparts good storage stability.

The solids content of the basecoat material of the invention is preferably at least 25%, more preferably at least 27.5%, especially preferably from 27.5% to 55%.

Under the stated conditions, in other words at the stated solids contents, preferred basecoat materials of the invention have a viscosity of 40 to 180 mPa·s, more particularly 50 to 150 mPa·s and even more preferably from 60 to 135 mPa·s over a period of 20 days, at 23° C. under a shearing load of 1000 l/s (for further details regarding the measurement method, see Example section). For the purposes of the present invention, a viscosity within this range under the stated shearing load is referred to as long-term viscosity (storage viscosity). It is a measure of the storage stability of the basecoat material of the invention and directly influences the stabilization of the microgel dispersion via the specific solvent composition.

The basecoat material of the invention is aqueous (regarding the definition of “aqueous”, see above).

The fraction of water in the basecoat material of the invention is preferably at least 35 wt %, preferably at least 40 wt %, and more preferably from 45 to 60 wt %.

Even more preferred is for the percentage sum of the solids content of the basecoat material and the fraction of water in the basecoat material to be at least 70 wt %, preferably at least 80 wt %. Among these figures, preference is given to ranges of 70 to 90 wt %, in particular 80 to 90 wt %. In this reporting, the solids content, which traditionally only possesses the unit “%”, is reported in “wt %”. Since the solids content ultimately also represents a percentage weight figure, this form of representation is justified. If, then, a basecoat material has a solids content of 35% and a water content of 50 wt %, for example, the percentage sum defined above, from the solids content of the basecoat material and the fraction of water in the basecoat material, is 85 wt %.

This means that preferred basecoat materials of the invention contain components that are in principle a burden on the environment, such as organic solvents in particular, at a comparatively low fraction of, for example, less than 30 wt %, preferably less than 20 wt %. Preferred ranges are from 10 to 30 wt %, more particularly 10 to 20 wt %.

The aqueous basecoat material for inventive use has a characteristic feature wherein, based on the total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, it contains in total less than 9 wt % of solvents selected from the group consisting of organic solvents (L1) having a HLB of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility of >1.5 wt % at 20° C.

The HLB of a solvent (L) here describes the ratio of the molar mass of the hydrophilic to the lipophilic fraction (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance according to W. C. Griffin) of the solvent, and in this context is defined as follows: HLB(L)=20*(1−M(lipophilic fraction of (L))/M(L)),

the lipophilic fraction of the solvent (L) being made up of the following carbon-containing groups:

every group CH_(n) with n=1 to 3, provided that the group

(i) is not in alpha position to OH, NH₂, CO₂H,

(ii) is not in ethylene oxide units located in an ethylene oxide chain having a terminal OH group, and/or

(iii) is not in a cyclic molecule or molecular moiety in alpha position to a bridging functional group selected from —O—, NH—.

All other groups, examples being other carbon-containing groups or non-carbon-containing groups, belong, accordingly to the hydrophilic fraction.

A solvent, accordingly, is constructed from a hydrophilic and/or lipophilic fraction. If a solvent is only constructed from a lipophilic fraction, it has a HLB of 0 (“zero”). Consequently a HLB of 20 accompanies an exclusive hydrophilic fraction. Solvents with hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions have HLB values of between 0 and 20. The molar mass of lipophilic groups here is determined according to the criteria specified above, and is divided by the total molar mass of the solvent. This fraction, as indicated in the HLB formula, is subtracted from a figure of one. The result is multiplied by 20. Examples that may be mentioned at this point are the solvents cyclohexane, with a HLB of 0, isopropanol, with a HLB of 10.0, and diethylene glycol, with a HLB of 20.

The solvents (L1), to be used in the sense of the invention at less than 9 wt %, more preferably at less than 7.5 wt %, especially preferably at less than 6.0 wt %, and even more especially preferably at less than 5 wt %, based on the total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, are distinguished by a HLB of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility of >1.5 wt % at 20° C. (for solubility measurement method, see Example section).

As examples, but not conclusively, the following solvents (L1) of this category, confined to less than 9 wt %, may be stated together with their respective HLB and also their water solubility in wt % at 20° C.: ethanol (HLB 13.5; water solubility infinite), butyl diglycol (HLB 13.0; water solubility infinite), tetrahydrofuran (HLB 12.2; water solubility infinite), butyl glycol (HLB 10.3; water solubility infinite), n-propanol (HLB 10.3; water solubility infinite), isopropanol (HLB 10.0; water solubility infinite), acetone (HLB 9.7; water solubility infinite), 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate (HLB 9.1; water solubility 22.0), dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (HLB 8.4; water solubility infinite), n-butanol (HLB 8.4; water solubility 7.7), isobutanol (HLB 8.4; water solubility 9.5), 1-propoxy-2-propanol (HLB 7.8; water solubility infinite), butanone (HLB 7.8; water solubility 35.3), cyclohexanone (HLB 5.7; water solubility 2.3), methyl isobutyl ketone (HLB 5.6; water solubility 1.9).

Only with compliance with the limit on solvents (L1) having a HLB of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility of >1.5 wt % at 20° C. of in total less than 9 wt %, based on the total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, does the diffusion-governed swelling as a result of absorption of the specified solvents into the polyurethane-polyurea particles present in the dispersion (PD), with an increase in volume and with loss of their strength, not lead to unwanted effects, especially rheological effects, as a result of which the high storage stability with retention of good applications properties, stated as an objective, in aqueous basecoat materials can be achieved (see tables 3 and 4).

Solvents (L) here, in the sense of the invention and in agreement with the knowledge of the skilled person in the paints sector (Römpp-Lexikon Lacke und Druckfarben, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, New York, 1998, pages 358-359), are defined as liquid and volatile nonionic compounds which are present in the formulation at room temperature (i.e., 20° C.) under atmospheric pressure (i.e., 1.013 bar). The reference is therefore to solvents which under baking conditions depart the resultant film to an extent of >10 wt %, preferably >25 wt %, and especially preferably >50 wt %. Baking conditions are understood at this point to mean the exposure of the respective coating material, following application to a substrate, to a temperature of 140° C. for a duration of 20 minutes. This definition at any rate covers the volatile organic solvents, and also water. An example of a solvent which is not a solvent (L1) in the sense of the invention, accordingly, is N,N-dimethylethanolamine.

It ought further to be noted that the at least one organic solvent (Z.2) and the solvents (L1) specified here by way of HLB values and water solubility do not describe the same solvents. While solvents (Z.2) may fall into the category of the solvents (L1) with a HLB of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility >1.5 wt % at 20° C., they are selected according to different criteria (see above).

Another advantage of the basecoat material of the invention is that it can be prepared without the use of eco-unfriendly and health-injurious organic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, and N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone. Accordingly, the basecoat material preferably contains less than 10 wt %, preferably less than 5 wt %, more preferably less than 2.5 wt % of organic solvents selected from the group consisting of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, and N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone. The basecoat material is preferably entirely free from these organic solvents.

The coating compositions of the invention can be produced using the mixing assemblies and mixing techniques that are customary and known for the production of basecoat materials.

The present invention likewise provides a method for producing multicoat paint systems, in which

(1) an aqueous basecoat material is applied to a substrate,

(2) a polymer film is formed from the coating material applied in stage (1),

(3) a clearcoat material is applied to the resulting basecoat film, and then

(4) the basecoat film is cured together with the clearcoat film,

which is characterized in that the aqueous basecoat material used in stage (1) is a basecoat material of the invention.

All of the above remarks regarding the basecoat material of the invention also apply to the method of the invention.

Said method is used to produce multicoat color paint systems, multicoat effect paint systems, and multicoat color and effect paint systems.

The aqueous basecoat material for use in accordance with the invention is commonly applied to metallic or plastics substrates that have been pretreated with a cured primer-surfacer. Said basecoat material may optionally also be applied directly to the plastics substrate or, in an integrated process, directly to a metal substrate coated with an electrocoat system.

Where a metallic substrate is to be coated, it is preferably further coated with an electrocoat system before the primer-surfacer is applied.

Where a plastics substrate is being coated, it is preferably also pretreated before the primer-surfacer is applied. The techniques most frequently employed for such pretreatment are those of flaming, plasma treatment, and corona discharge.

The pigmented aqueous basecoat material of the invention may be applied to a metallic substrate, at the film thicknesses customary within the automobile industry, in the range, for example, of 5 to 100 micrometers, preferably 5 to 60 micrometers. It is usual in this context to employ spray application methods, such as compressed air spraying, airless spraying, high-speed rotation, electrostatic spray application (ESTA), alone or in conjunction with hot spray application, such as hot air spraying, for example.

After the pigmented aqueous basecoat material has been applied, it can be dried by known methods. For example, (1-component) basecoat materials, which are preferred, can be flashed at room temperature for 1 to 60 minutes and subsequently dried, preferably at optionally slightly elevated temperatures of 30 to 90° C. Flashing and drying in the context of the present invention mean the evaporation of organic solvents and/or water, as a result of which the paint becomes drier but has not yet cured or not yet formed a fully crosslinked coating film.

Then a commercial clearcoat material is applied, by likewise common methods, the film thicknesses again being within the customary ranges, for example 5 to 100 micrometers. Preference is given to two-component clearcoat materials.

Following application of the clearcoat material, it may be flashed off at room temperature for 1 to 60 minutes, for example, and optionally dried. The clearcoat material is then cured together with the applied basecoat material. In the course of these procedures, crosslinking reactions occur, for example, to produce on a substrate a multicoat color and/or effect paint system of the invention. The curing is preferably effected by thermal means, at temperatures of 60 to 200° C.

All the film thicknesses stated in the context of the present invention should be understood as dry film thicknesses. The film thickness is thus that of the cured film in question. Thus, if it is stated that a coating material is applied in a particular film thickness, this should be understood to mean that the coating material is applied such that the stated film thickness results after the curing.

Plastics substrates are coated basically in the same way as metallic substrates. However, curing is effected here generally at much lower temperatures of 30 to 90° C., in order not to cause any damage to and/or deformation of the substrate.

The method of the invention can thus be used to paint metallic and nonmetallic substrates, more particularly plastics substrates, preferably automobile bodies or components thereof.

The method of the invention can be used further for dual finishing in OEM finishing. This means that a substrate which has been coated by means of the method of the invention is painted for a second time, likewise by means of the method of the invention.

The invention relates further to multicoat paint systems which are producible by the method described above. These multicoat paint systems are to be referred to below as multicoat paint systems of the invention.

All the above remarks relating to the aqueous basecoat material of the invention and the method of the invention also apply correspondingly to said multicoat paint system.

A further aspect of the invention relates to the method of the invention, wherein said substrate from stage (1) is a multicoat paint system having defects. This substrate/multicoat paint system having defects is thus an original finish, which is to be repaired (“spot repair”) or completely recoated (“dual coating”).

The method of the invention is accordingly also suitable for repairing defects on multicoat paint systems. Fault sites or film defects are generally faults on and in the coating, usually named according to their shape or their appearance. The skilled person is aware of a host of possible kinds of such film defects.

The present invention further relates to the use of the basecoat material of the invention comprising the specific solvent composition (L1) for improving the storage stability of basecoat materials while retaining the good applications properties, more particularly the good pinholing behavior, including in particular the reduction in the pinholing limit and number of pinholes, and also good running stability, on the part of the multicoat paint systems.

The invention is illustrated below using examples.

EXAMPLES

Methods of Determination

1. Solids Content

Unless otherwise indicated, the solids content, also referred to as solid fraction hereinafter, was determined in accordance with DIN EN ISO 3251 at 130° C.; 60 min, initial mass 1.0 g. If reference is made in the context of the present invention to an official standard, this of course means the version of the standard that was current on the filing date, or, if no current version exists at that date, then the last current version.

2. Isocyanate Content

The isocyanate content, also referred to below as NCO content, was determined by adding an excess of a 2% strength N,N-dibutylamine solution in xylene to a homogeneous solution of the samples in acetone/N-ethylpyrrolidone (1:1 vol %), by potentiometric back-titration of the amine excess with 0.1 N hydrochloric acid, in a method based on DIN EN ISO 3251, DIN EN ISO 11909, and DIN EN ISO 14896. The NCO content of the polymer, based on solids, can be calculated back via the fraction of a polymer (solids content) in solution.

3. Hydroxyl Number

The hydroxyl number was determined on the basis of R.-P. Krüger, R. Gnauck and R. Algeier, Plaste and Kautschuk, 20, 274 (1982), by means of acetic anhydride in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine as a catalyst in a tetrahydrofuran (THF)/dimethylformamide (DMF) solution at room temperature, by fully hydrolyzing the excess of acetic anthydride remaining after acetylation and conducting a potentiometric back-titration of the acetic acid with alcoholic potassium hydroxide solution. Acetylation times of 60 minutes were sufficient in all cases to guarantee complete conversion.

4. Acid Number

The acid number was determined on the basis of DIN EN ISO 2114 in homogeneous solution of tetrahydrofuran (THF)/water (9 parts by volume of THF and 1 part by volume of distilled water) with ethanolic potassium hydroxide solution.

5. Degree of Neutralization

The degree of neutralization of a component x was calculated from the amount of substance of the carboxylic acid groups present in the component (determined via the acid number) and the amount of substance of the neutralizing agent used.

6. Amine Equivalent Mass

The amine equivalent mass (solution) serves for determining the amine content of a solution, and was ascertained as follows. The sample for analysis was dissolved at room temperature in glacial acetic acid and titrated against 0.1N perchloric acid in glacial acetic acid in the presence of crystal violet. The initial mass of the sample and the consumption of perchloric acid gave the amine equivalent mass (solution), the mass of the solution of the basic amine that is needed to neutralize one mole of perchloric acid.

7. Degree of Blocking of the Primary Amino Groups

The degree of blocking of the primary amino groups was determined by means of IR spectrometry using a Nexus FT IR spectrometer (from Nicolet) with the aid of an IR cell (d=25 mm, KBr window) at the absorption maximum at 3310 cm⁻¹ on the basis of concentration series of the amines used and standardization to the absorption maximum at 1166 cm⁻¹ (internal standard) at 25° C.

8. Solvent Content

The amount of an organic solvent in a mixture, as for example in an aqueous dispersion, was determined by means of gas chromatography (Agilent 7890A, 50 m silica capillary column with polyethylene glycol phase or 50 m silica capillary column with polydimethylsiloxane phase, helium carrier gas, 250° C. split injector, 40-220° C. oven temperature, flame ionization detector, 275° C. detector temperature, n-propyl glycol as internal standard).

9. Number-Average Molar Mass

The number-average molar mass (M_(n)) was determined, unless otherwise indicated, by means of a vapor pressure osmometer 10.00 (from Knauer) on concentration series in toluene at 50° C. with benzophenone as calibration substance for the determination of the experimental calibration constant of the instrument used, by the method of E. Schröder, G. Müller, K. F. Arndt, “Leitfaden der Polymercharakterisierung” [Principles of polymer characterization], Akademie-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 47-54, 1982.

10. Average Particle Size

The average particle size (volume average) of the polyurethane-polyurea particles present in the dispersions (PD) for use in accordance with the invention was determined in the context of the present invention by means of light scattering. Employed specifically for the measurement was photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS).

A Malvern Nano S90 (from Malvern Instruments) was used at 25±1° C. The instrument covers a size range from 3 to 3000 nm and was equipped with a 4 mW He—Ne laser at 633 nm. The dispersions (PD) were diluted with particle-free, deionized water as dispersing medium, before being subjected to measurement in a 1 ml polystyrene cell at suitable scattering intensity. Evaluation took place using a digital correlator, with the assistance of the Zetasizer analysis software, version 6.32 (from Malvern Instruments). Measurement took place five times, and the measurements were repeated on a second, freshly prepared sample. The standard deviation of a 5-fold determination was ≤4%. The maximum deviation of the arithmetic mean of the volume average (V-average mean) of five individual measurements was ±15%. The reported average particle size (volume average) is the arithmetic mean of the average particle size (volume average) of the individual preparations. Verification was carried out using polystyrene standards having certified particle sizes between 50 to 3000 nm.

11. Gel Fraction

The gel fraction of the polyurethane-polyurea particles (microgel particles) present in the dispersions (PD) for use in accordance with the invention is determined gravimetrically in the context of the present invention. Here, first of all, the polymer present was isolated from a sample of an aqueous dispersion (PD) (initial mass 1.0 g) by freeze-drying. Following determination of the solidification temperature—the temperature after which the electrical resistance of the sample shows no further change when the temperature is lowered further—the fully frozen sample underwent its main drying, customarily in the drying vacuum pressure range between 5 mbar and 0.05 mbar, at a drying temperature lower by 10° C. than the solidification temperature. By graduated increase in the temperature of the heated surfaces beneath the polymer to 25° C., rapid freeze-drying of the polymers was achieved; after a drying time of typically 12 hours, the amount of isolated polymer (solid fraction, determined by the freeze-drying) was constant and no longer underwent any change even on prolonged freeze-drying. Subsequent drying at a temperature of the surface beneath the polymer of 30° C. with the ambient pressure reduced to maximum (typically between 0.05 and 0.03 mbar) produced optimum drying of the polymer.

The isolated polymer was subsequently sintered in a forced air oven at 130° C. for one minute and thereafter extracted for 24 hours at 25° C. in an excess of tetrahydrofuran (ratio of tetrahydrofuran to solid fraction=300:1). The insoluble fraction of the isolated polymer (gel fraction) was then separated off on a suitable frit, dried in a forced air oven at 50° C. for 4 hours, and subsequently reweighed.

It was further ascertained that at the sintering temperature of 130° C., with variation in the sintering times between one minute and twenty minutes, the gel fraction found for the microgel particles is independent of sintering time. It can therefore be ruled out that crosslinking reactions subsequent to the isolation of the polymeric solid increase the gel fraction further.

The gel fraction determined in this way in accordance with the invention is also called gel fraction (freeze-dried) and is stated in wt %. The reason, evidently, is that it is the weight-based fraction of the polyurethane-polyurea particles that has undergone crosslinking as described at the beginning and can therefore be isolated as a gel.

In parallel, a gel fraction, hereinafter also called gel fraction (130° C.), was determined gravimetrically, by isolating a polymer sample from aqueous dispersion (initial mass 1.0 g) at 130° C. for 60 minutes (solids content). The mass of the polymer was ascertained, after which the polymer was extracted in an excess of tetrahydrofuran at 25° C., in analogy to the procedure described above, for 24 hours, after which the insoluble fraction (gel fraction) was separated off, dried, and reweighed.

12. Solubility in Water

The solubility of an organic solvent in water was determined at 20° C. as follows. The respective organic solvent and water were combined in a suitable glass vessel, mixed, and the mixture was subsequently equilibrated. The amounts of water and of the solvent were selected such that two phases separate from one another were obtained after the equilibration. After the equilibration, a sample is taken from the aqueous phase (that is, the phase containing more water than organic solvent) using a syringe, and this sample was diluted with tetrahydrofuran in a 1/10 ratio, the fraction of the solvent being determined by means of gas chromatography (for conditions see section 8. Solvent content).

If two phases do not form irrespective of the amounts of water and the solvent, the solvent is miscible with water in any weight ratio. This solvent that is therefore infinitely soluble in water (acetone, for example) is therefore at any rate not a solvent (Z.2). The definition of the solvents (Z.2) is described earlier on above in the text.

Preparation of a Polyurethane-Polyurea Microgel (or a Polyurethane-Polyurea Dispersion (PD))

Example D1

Preparation of a Microgel for Use in Accordance with the Invention of a Polyesterurethaneurea by Addition of Diethylenetriaminediketimine to the Excess of a Partly Neutralized, m-Tetramethylxylene Diisocyanate-Based Polyurethane Prepolymer in Methyl Ethyl Ketone and Subsequent Crosslinking Via Terminal Primary Amino Groups Following Dispersion in Water.

A microgel dispersion of a polyesterurethaneurea was prepared as follows:

a) Preparation of a Partly Neutralized Prepolymer Solution

In a reaction vessel equipped with stirrer, internal thermometer, reflux condenser, and electrical heating, 570.0 parts by weight of a linear polyester polyol and 27.7 parts by weight of dimethylolpropionic acid (from GEO Speciality Chemicals) were dissolved under nitrogen in 344.4 parts by weight of methyl ethyl ketone. The linear polyester diol was prepared beforehand from dimerized fatty acid (Pripol® 1012, from Croda), isophthalic acid (from BP Chemicals), and hexane-1,6-diol (from BASF SE) (weight ratio of the starting materials: dimeric fatty acid to isophthalic acid to hexane-1,6-diol=54.00:30.02:15.98), and had a hydroxyl number of 73 mg KOH/g solid fraction, an acid number of 3.5 mg KOH/g solid fraction, a calculated number-average molar mass of 1379 g/mol, and a number-average molar mass as determined via vapor pressure osmometry of 1350 g/mol.

Added to the resulting solution at 30° C. in succession were 202.0 parts by weight of m-tetramethylxylene diisocyanate (TMXDI® (Meta) aliphatic isocyanate, from Cytec), with an isocyanate content of 34.40 wt %, and 3.8 parts by weight of dibutyltin dilaurate (from Merck). This was followed by heating to 80° C. with stirring. Stirring was continued at this temperature until the isocyanate content of the solution was constant at 1.51 wt %. Thereafter 626.4 parts by weight of methyl ethyl ketone were added to the prepolymer and the reaction mixture was cooled to 40° C. When 40° C. had been reached, 12.0 parts by weight of triethylamine (from BASF SE) were added dropwise over the course of two minutes and the batch was stirred for a further 5 minutes.

b) Reaction of the Prepolymer with Diethylenetriaminediketimine

Then 30.8 parts by weight of a 71.9 wt % dilution of diethylenetriaminediketimine in methyl isobutyl ketone were mixed in over the course of one minute (ratio of prepolymer isocyanate groups to diethylenetriaminediketimine (having a secondary amino group): 5:1 mol/mol, corresponding to two NCO groups per blocked primary amino group), and the reaction temperature rose by 1° C. briefly following addition to the prepolymer solution. The dilution of diethylenetriaminediketimine in methyl isobutyl ketone was prepared beforehand by azeotropic removal of water of reaction in the reaction of diethylenetriamine (from BASF SE) with methyl isobutyl ketone in methyl isobutyl ketone at 110-140° C. Adjustment to an amine equivalent mass (solution) of 124.0 g/eq was carried out by dilution with methyl isobutyl ketone. Blocking of the primary amino groups of 98.5% was determined by means of IR spectroscopy, on the basis of the residual absorption at 3310 cm⁻¹.

The solids content of the polymer solution containing isocyanate groups was found to be 45.0%.

c) Dispersion and Vacuum Distillation

After 30 minutes of stirring at 40° C., the contents of the reactor were dispersed in 1206 parts by weight of deionized water (23° C.) over the course of 7 minutes. Methyl ethyl ketone was distilled off from the resulting dispersion under reduced pressure at 45° C., and any losses of solvent and of water were made up with deionized water, giving a solids content of 40 wt %.

A white, stable, solids-rich, low-viscosity dispersion with crosslinked particles was obtained, and showed no sedimentation at all even after 3 months.

The characteristics of the resulting microgel dispersion were as follows:

Solids content (130° C., 60 min, 1 g): 39.6 wt %

Methyl ethyl ketone content (GC): 0.3 wt %

Methyl isobutyl ketone content (GC): 0.1 wt %

Viscosity (23° C., rotary viscometer, shear rate=1000/s): 15 mPa·s

Acid number 17.1 mg KOH/g

-   -   Solids content

Degree of neutralization (calculated) 49%

pH (23° C.) 7.4

Particle size (photon correlation spectroscopy, volume average) 156 nm

Gel fraction (freeze-dried) 83.3 wt %

Gel fraction (130° C.) 83.7 wt %

Comparative Example VD1

Preparation of a Dispersion of a Polyesterurethane Containing No Crosslinked Particles by Dispersion of a Methyl Ethyl Ketone Solution of a Partly Neutralized, Dicyclohexylmethane 4,4′-Diisocyanate-Based Polyesterurethane

A standard polyurethane dispersion VD1 was prepared on the basis of dicyclohexylmethane 4,4′-diisocyanate in accordance with WO 92/15405, page 15, lines 16-20.

The characteristics of the resulting polyurethane dispersion were as follows:

Solids content (130° C., 60 min, 1 g): 27.0 wt %

Methyl ethyl ketone content (GC): 0.2 wt %

Viscosity (23° C., rotary viscometer, shear rate=1000/s): 135 mPa·s

Acid number 19.9 mg KOH/g

-   -   Solids content

pH (23° C.) 7.8

Particle size (photon correlation spectroscopy, volume average) 46 nm

Gel fraction (freeze-dried) −0.7 wt %

Gel fraction (130° C.) −0.3 wt %

Preparation of Waterborne Basecoat Materials

For the application comparison, a standard waterborne basecoat material BL-V1 with the polyurethane dispersion VD1, containing no crosslinked particles, was prepared (according to WO 92/15405, page 15, lines 16-20). In contrast to all inventive waterborne basecoat materials and the further comparative waterborne basecoat materials, BL-V1 includes a phyllosilicate thickener, in order to prevent the vertical running from the metal panel during application and drying.

Phyllosilicate-free comparative waterborne basecoat materials BL-V2 to BL-V6 were prepared for comparison purposes on the basis of the dispersion (PD) D1 for inventive use, thus comprising crosslinked particles. Based on the total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, all of the comparative waterborne basecoat materials contain in total more than 9 wt % of solvents selected from the group consisting of solvents (L1) having a HLB of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility of >1.5 wt % at 20° C. BL-V2 to BL-V6 are therefore not inventive waterborne basecoat materials.

Inventive waterborne basecoat materials BL-E1 to BL-E9 were prepared on the basis of the dispersion (PD) D1, which in contrast to the comparative waterborne basecoat materials BL-V2 to BL-V6, based on the total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, contain a total of less than 9 wt % of solvents selected from the group consisting of solvents (L1) having a HLB of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility of >1.5 wt % at 20° C.

The preparation of the waterborne basecoat materials is described in detail hereinafter.

Preparation of a Silver-Blue Waterborne Basecoat Material BL-V1 as Comparative Example, Based on a Polyurethane Dispersion VD1 with Polyurethane Particles which are not Crosslinked, and Amenable to Direct Application as a Coloring Coat onto a Cured Surfacer, Directly onto a Plastics Substrate or Directly onto a Metal Substrate Coated with an Electrocoat System

The components listed under “aqueous phase” in Table 1 are stirred together in the prescribed order to form an aqueous mixture. In the next step, an organic mixture is prepared from the components listed under “organic phase”. The organic mixture is added to the aqueous mixture. The combined mixture is then stirred for 10 minutes and adjusted, using deionized water and N,N-dimethylethanolamine (from BASF SE), to a pH of 8.1 and to a high-shear viscosity of 58 mPa·s under a shearing load of 1000 s⁻¹, as measured with a rotary viscometer (Rheomat RM 180 instrument from Mettler-Toledo) at 23° C. This gave a solids content of 17.6 wt %. The HLB values and corresponding water solubilities belonging to the solvent (L1) used have already been specified earlier on above in the description.

TABLE 1 Preparation of a silver-blue waterborne basecoat material BL-V1 Designation of the waterborne basecoat material BL-V1 Component Parts by weight AQUEOUS PHASE Aqueous solution of 3% sodium lithium 24.7 magnesium phyllosilicate Laponite ® RD (from Altana-Byk) and 3% Pluriol ® P900 (from BASF SE) VD-1 Polyurethane dispersion, prepared 18 according to page 15, Lines 16-20 of WO 92/15405 Hydroxy-functional polyester; prepared as per 3.2 example D, column 16, lines 37-59 of DE-A-4009858 Luwipal ® 052 (from BASF SE), melamine- 4.3 formaldehyde resin TMDD 50% BG (from BASF SE), 52% strength 1.9 solution of 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7- diol in butyl glycol 10% strength solution of N,N-dimethyl- 0.8 ethanolamine (from BASF SE) in water Butyl glycol (from BASF SE) 5.7 Hydroxy-functional, polyurethane-modified 4.7 polyacrylate; prepared as per page 7, line 55 to page 8, line 23 of DE 4437535 A1 10 wt % strength solution of Rheovis ® AS 1130 4 (BASF SE), rheological agent 50 wt % strength solution of Rheovis ® PU 1250 0.47 (BASF SE), rheological agent Isopropanol (from BASF SE) 1.9 Triethylene glycol (from BASF SE) 2.4 2-Ethylhexanol (from BASF SE) 2 Isopar ® L (from ExxonMobil Chemical), solvent 1 (isoparaffinic hydrocarbon) Carbon black paste 4.3 Blue paste 6.9 Red paste 0.23 Interference pigment slurry Iriodin ® 9119 Polarweiß SW (from Merck), a 1 silver-white interference pigment; mica, coated with rutile (TiO₂) Iriodin ® 9225 SQB Rutil Perlblau SW (from 0.06 Merck), a blue interference pigment; mica, coated with rutile (TiO₂) Mixing varnish, prepared as per column 11, 3.2 lines 1-17 of EP 1534792 - B1 Deionized water 7.98 ORGANIC PHASE Mixture of two commercial aluminum pigments 0.36 STAPA Hydrolux 1071 aluminum and STAPA Hydrolux VP No. 56450/G aluminum (from Eckart Effect Pigments) Butyl glycol (from BASF SE) 0.5 Hydroxy-functional polyester; prepared as per 0.3 example D, column 16, lines 37-59 of DE-A- 4009858 10% strength solution of N,N-dimethyl- 0.1 ethanolamine (from BASF SE) in water (for the adjustment of pH and spray viscosity)

Preparation of Inventive Waterborne Basecoat Materials (BL-E1 to BL-E6) Comprising the Polyurethaneurea Microgel D1 and, Based on the Total Amount of Solvents (L) Present in the Basecoat Material, a Total of Less than 9 wt % of Solvents Selected from the Solvents (L1) with a HLB of Between 5 and 15 and a Water Solubility of >1.5 wt % at 20° C., and Also of Comparative Waterborne Basecoat Materials (BL-V2 to BL-V6) Comprising the Polyurethaneurea Microgel D1 and, Based on the Total Amount of Solvents (L) Present in the Basecoat Material, a Total of More than 9 wt % of Solvents Selected from the Solvents (L1) with a HLB of Between 5 and 15 and a Water Solubility of >1.5 wt % at 20° C., which can be Applied Directly as a Coloring Film to a Cured Surface, Directly to a Plastics Substrate, or Directly to a Metal Substrate Coated with an Electrocoat System.

The components listed under “aqueous phase” in table 2a and 2b are stirred together in the prescribed order to form an aqueous mixture. In the next step, an organic mixture is prepared from the components listed under “organic phase”. The organic mixture is added to the aqueous mixture. The combined mixture is then stirred for 10 minutes and adjusted, using deionized water and N,N-dimethylethanolamine (from BASF SE), to a pH of 8 and to a high-shear viscosity of 58 mPas under a shearing load of 1000 s⁻¹, as measured with a rotary viscometer (Rheomat RM 180 instrument from Mettler-Toledo) at 23° C.

TABLE 2a Preparation of comparative waterborne basecoat materials BL-V2 to BL-V6. Designation of the waterborne basecoat material BL-V2 BL-V3 BL-V4 BL-V5 BL-V6 Component: Parts by weight AQUEOUS PHASE Deionized water 18.6 18.6 18.6 18.6 18.6 Hydroxy-functional polyester; 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8 prepared as per example D, column 16, lines 37-59 of DE 4009858 A1 Luwipal ® 052 (from BASF SE), 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.8 melamine-formaldehyde resin Butyl glycol (from BASF SE) 5.4 10.8 Isobutanol 10.8 Butyl diglycol 10.8 Isopropanol 10.8 TMDD (from BASF SE) 2 2 2 2 2 10% strength solution of N,N- 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 dimethylethanolamine (from BASF SE) in water Hydroxy-functional, polyurethane- 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 modified polyacrylate; prepared as per page 7, line 55 to page 8, line 23 of DE 4437535 A1 50 wt % strength solution of 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 Rheovis ® PU 1250 (from BASF SE) in water, rheological agent PU microgel dispersion as per 20 20 20 20 20 preparation example D1 Carbon black paste 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.8 Blue paste 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 Red paste 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 Mica slurry as per EP 1534792 B1 - 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 column 11, lines 1-17 ORGANIC PHASE: Aluminum pigment, available from 0.7 0.7 0. 0.7 0.7 Altana-Eckart 2-Ethylhexanol 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 Hydroxy-functional polyester; 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 prepared as per example D, column 16, lines 37-59 of DE 4009858 A1 10% strength solution of N,N- 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 dimethylethanolamine (from BASF SE) in water (for the adjustment of pH and spray viscosity)

TABLE 2b Preparation of inventive waterborne basecoat materials BL-E1 to BL-E6. Designation of the waterborne basecoat material BL-E1 BL-E2 BL-E3 BL-E4 BL-E5 BL-E6 Component: Parts by weight AQUEOUS PHASE Deionized water 18.6 18.6 18.6 18.6 19.8 19.8 Hydroxy-functional polyester; 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8 prepared as per example D, column 16, lines 37-59 of DE 4009858 A1 Hydroxy-functional polyester; 3.48 3.48 prepared as per example BI1, page 8, paragraph 146 of US 2014/0065428 A1 Luwipal ® 052 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.8 (from BASF SE), Melamine-formaldehyde resin Cymel ® 385 (from Cytec), 7.64 Melamine-formaldehyde resin 2-Ethylhexanol 10.8 11.96 11.96 Diisobutyl ketone 10.8 Isopar ® L 10.8 Triethylene glycol 10.8 TMDD (from BASF SE) 2 2 2 2 2 2 10% strength solution of 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 N,N-dimethylethanolamine (from BASF SE) in water Hydroxy-functional, 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 polyurethane-modified polyacrylat; prepared as per page 7, line 55 to page 8, line 23 of DE 4437535 A1 50 wt % strength solution 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 of Rheovis ® PU 1250 (from BASF SE) in water, rheological agent PU microgel dispersion as 20 20 20 20 20 20 per preparation example D1 Carbon black paste 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.8 Blue paste 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 Red paste 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 Mica slurry as 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 per EP 1534792 B1-column 11, lines 1-17 ORGANIC PHASE: Aluminum 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 pigment, available from Altana-Eckart 2-Ethylhexanol 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 Hydroxy-functional 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 polyester; prepared as per example D, column 16, lines 37-59 of DE 4009858 A1 10% strength solution of 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 N,N-dimethylethanolamine (from BASF SE) in water (for the adjustment of pH and spray viscosity)

Production of the Carbon Black Paste:

The carbon black paste was produced from 25 parts by weight of an acrylated polyurethane dispersion prepared as per international patent application WO 91/15528 binder dispersion A, 10 parts by weight of carbon black, 0.1 part by weight of methyl isobutyl ketone, 1.36 parts by weight of dimethylethanolamine (10% strength in DI water), 2 parts by weight of a commercial polyether (Pluriol® P900 from BASF SE), and 61.45 parts by weight of deionized water.

Production of the Red Paste

The red paste was produced from 40 parts by weight of an acrylated polyurethane dispersion prepared as per international patent application WO 91/15528 binder dispersion A, 34.5 parts by weight of Cinilex® DPP Red, 2 parts by weight of a commercial polyether (Pluriol® P900 from BASF SE), 3 parts by weight of 1-propoxy-2-propanol and 20.5 parts by weight of deionized water.

Production of the Blue Paste

The blue paste was produced from 69.8 parts by weight of an acrylated polyurethane dispersion prepared as per international patent application WO 91/15528 binder dispersion A, 12.5 parts by weight of Paliogen® Blue L 6482, 1.5 parts by weight of dimethylethanolamine (10% strength in DI water), 1.2 parts by weight of a commercial polyether (Pluriol® P900 from BASF SE), and 15 parts by weight of deionized water.

Comparative Experiments Between the Inventive Waterborne Basecoat Materials BL-E1 to BL-E6 with the Waterborne Basecoat Materials BL-V1 to BL-V2 in Respect of the Running Limit, Popping Limit, and Pinholing Limit, and Number of Pinholes.

For the determination of the applications properties (running limit, popping limit, and pinholing limit and the number of pinholes), multicoat paint systems were produced using the waterborne basecoat materials (BL-V1 to BL-V2 and also BL-E1 to BL-E6) according to the following general protocol:

A steel panel of dimensions 30 cm×50 cm coated with a cured surfacer system was provided with an adhesive strip on one longitudinal edge, in order to be able to determine the film thickness differences after coating. The waterborne basecoat material was applied electrostatically in wedge format. The resulting waterborne basecoat film was flashed off at room temperature for one minute and subsequently dried in an air circulation oven at 70° C. for 10 minutes. Applied atop the dried waterborne basecoat film was a ProGloss® two-component clearcoat material available commercially from BASF Coatings GmbH. The resulting clearcoat film was flashed off at room temperature for 20 minutes. Waterborne basecoat film and clearcoat film were then jointly cured in an air circulation oven at 140° C. for 20 minutes. The film thickness of the cured clearcoat film was constant over the whole panel (±1 μm), with a clearcoat film thickness of 35 to 45 μm.

In the case of the determination of the popping limit, pinholing limit and number of pinholes, the panels were dried horizontally in an air circulation oven and cured, and the popping limit and pinholing limit were determined visually, by ascertaining the resulting film thickness of the basecoat film, increasing in wedge format, at which pops and pinholes, respectively, first occurred. In the case of the number of pinholes, furthermore, a determination was made of the number of pinholes which occurred on the coated metal panel with the edge length 30 cm×50 cm.

In the case of the determination of the running limit, perforated metal panels with the same dimensions, made from steel, were used; the panels were coated as described above, and the applied coating materials were dried and cured as described above, except that the panels were placed vertically in the oven in each case after application of waterborne basecoat material and application of clearcoat material.

The film thickness from which runs occur is termed the running limit, and was ascertained visually.

Table 3 provides an overview of the results of the determination of running limit, popping limit, and pinholing limit, and also number of pinholes:

Whereas waterborne basecoat material BL-V1 had no crosslinked particles and contained a Laponite® RD phyllosilicate thickener, all of the other waterborne basecoat materials were free from this thickener component and contained the crosslinked polyurethane-urea dispersion D1 for inventive use.

While the comparative waterborne basecoat materials BL-V1 and BL-V2, based on the total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, contained in total more than 9 wt % of solvents selected from the group consisting of solvents (L1) having a HLB of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility of >1.5 wt % at 20° C., the inventively prepared waterborne basecoat materials BL-E1 to BL-E6, based on the total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, contain in total less than 9 wt % of solvents selected from the group consisting of solvents (L1) having a HLB of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility of >1.5 wt % at 20° C.

TABLE 3 Results of the determination of running limit, popping limit, and pinholing limit, and also number of pinholes, for multicoat paint systems based on the waterborne basecoat materials BL-V1 to BL-V4 and BL-E1 to BL-E6 Designation of the waterborne basecoat material BL-V1 BL-V2 BL-E1 BL-E2 BL-E3 BL-E4 BL-E5 BL-E6 Polyurethane VD1 D1 D1 D1 D1 D1 D1 D1 dispersion Contains Yes No No No No No No No Laponite ® RD thickener solution¹⁾ Amount in wt %, >9 17.60 8.52 8.52 8.52 8.52 6.86 4.41 based on the total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, of solvents (L1) with an HLB of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility >1.5 wt % at 20° C. Running limit 23 >60 >60 >60 >60 >60 >60 >60 in μm²⁾ Popping limit 12 31 34 37 35 32 39 38 in μm³⁾ Pinholing limit 16 30 31 33 31 34 35 37 in μm³⁾ Number of 17 20 17 25 21 22 12 14 pinholes⁵⁾ ¹⁾Laponite ® RD thickener solution: Aqueous solution of 3% sodium lithium magnesium phyllosilicate Laponite ® RD (from Altana-Byk) and 3% Pluriol ® P900 (from BASF SE) ²⁾Running limit in μm: Film thickness from which runs occur ³⁾Popping limit in μm: Film thickness from which runs occur ⁴⁾Pinholing limit in μm: Film thickness of the basecoat film from which pinholes occur following application of a wedge of basecoat material and a constant layer of a two-component clearcoat material, with joint curing in an air circulation oven at 140° C., 20 minutes ⁵⁾Number of pinholes: Number of pinholes from pinholing limit of the coated metal panel with edge length 30 cm × 50 cm

The results of table 3 show that the use of the dispersion (PD) D1 for use in accordance with the invention in the waterborne basecoat materials BL-E1 to BL-E6 and also BL-V2 exhibits distinct advantages in respect of all the applications properties evaluated. Furthermore, it is clearly apparent in comparison to BL-V2 that the inventive specifications concerning the solvents (L1) used in the inventive waterborne basecoat materials BL-E1 to BL-E6 do not lead to any adverse effects on the applications properties. Instead, a further reduction in the fraction of the solvents (L1) having a HLB of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility of >1.5 wt % at 20° C., based on the total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, to below 7 wt % (BL-E5) and below 5 wt % (BL-E6) leads to a still further-improved pinholing behavior, as evidenced by the increased pinholing limit.

Comparison Between the Inventive Waterborne Basecoat Materials BL-E1 to BL-E6 with the Comparative Waterborne Basecoat Materials BL-V1 to BL-V6 in Relation to Solids Content and Viscosity

As well as improved or at least the retention of good applications properties, the waterborne basecoat materials prepared in accordance with the invention ought likewise to exhibit good storage stabilities.

The storage stability of the inventively prepared waterborne basecoat materials BL-E1 to BL-E6 was investigated on the basis of the high-shear viscosity over a period of 20 days and was contrasted with the standard waterborne basecoat material BL-V1, which contained a phyllosilicate thickener and the noncrosslinked microgel dispersion VD1.

As a second comparator, the waterborne basecoat materials BL-V2 to BL-V6, comprising the polyurethane-urea dispersion D1, were employed, which were likewise free of phyllosilicate thickeners but like comparative waterborne basecoat material BL-V1, and in contrast to the inventive waterborne basecoat materials BL-E1 to BL-E6, based on the total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, contained in total more than 9 wt % of solvents selected from the group of solvents (L1) having a HLB of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility of >1.5 wt % at 20° C.

The high-shear viscosity was measured at a shear rate of 1000 l/s, measured using a rotary viscometer (Rheomat RM 180 instrument from Mettler-Toledo) at 23° C., within one hour after the preparation of the respective waterborne basecoat material, and also after 2, 4, 8, and 20 days. Apart from the respective measurements, the samples were stored over the entire period at 23° C. without influence of external shearing forces, and were shaken for one minute a short time prior to measurement.

The results are set out in table 4a and 4b.

TABLE 4a Characterization of the comparative waterborne basecoat materials BL-V1 to BL-V6 in relation to solids content and viscosity Designation of the waterborne basecoat material BL-V1 BL-V2 BL-V3 BL-V4 BL-V5 BL-V6 Polyurethane dispersion VD1 D1 D1 D1 D1 D1 Contains Laponite ® Yes No No No No No RD thickener solution¹⁾ Amount in wt %, based >9 17.6 24.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 on the total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, of solvent (L1) with HLB of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility >1.5 wt % at 20° C. Solids content 17.6 29.1 28.3 29.3 27.5 29.7 High-shear viscosity in mPa · s at 1000s⁻¹ after 0 days 58 62 62 65 61 64 2 days 59 68 72 84 85 87 4 days 62 74 78 106 81 93 8 days 60 77 81 94 84 94 20 days 59 78 81 114 99 166 ¹⁾Laponite ® RD thickener solution: Aqueous solution of 3% sodium lithium magnesium phyllosilicate Laponite ® RD (from Altana-Byk) and 3% Pluriol ® P900 (from BASF SE)

TABLE 4b Characterization of the inventive waterborne basecoat materials BL-E1 to BL-E6 in relation to solids content and viscosity Designation of the waterborne basecoat material BL-E1 BL-E2 BL-E3 BL-E4 BL-E5 BL-E6 Polyurethane dispersion D1 D1 D1 D1 D1 D1 Contains Laponite ® No No No No No No RD thickener solution ¹⁾ Amount in wt %, based on the 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 6.9 4.4 total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, of solvent (L1) with HLB of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility >1.5 wt % at 20° C. Solids content 30.1 30.7 31.1 32.5 33.7 34.1 High-shear viscosity in mPa · s at 1000s⁻¹ after 0 days 63 67 67 66 64 67 2 days 70 64 69 71 66 69 4 days 73 65 70 72 67 69 8 days 73 63 68 65 66 68 20 days 69 58 65 64 66 68

The results in table 4a and 4b show that the inventive basecoat materials exhibit excellent storage stability for a solids content in the range from 30 to 35 wt %. The high-shear viscosity of the inventive basecoat materials BL-E1 to BL-E6 remains virtually unchanged over a period of 20 days and therefore satisfies the requirements, whereas the noninventive, comparative basecoat materials BL-V2 to BL-V6 do not satisfy these rheology stability requirements. They exhibit a marked rise in the high-shear viscosity.

The environmentally advantageous further reduction in the fraction of the solvent content (L1) with an HLB of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility of >1.5 wt % at 20° C. among the sum total of the solvents (L) in an aqueous basecoat material, to below 7 wt % (BL-E5) and below 5 wt % (BL-E6), therefore leads likewise to excellent storage stabilities.

The combination of a polyurethane dispersion VD1, with polyurethane particles which are not crosslinked, with phyllosilicate thickeners in the comparative waterborne basecoat material BL-V1 likewise exhibits stable high-shear viscosities in these tests, but the applications properties shown above are significantly disadvantageous in relation to the inventive variants.

Preparation of Inventive, Effect Pigment-Free Waterborne Basecoat Materials Comprising the Polyurethaneurea Microgel D1 and, Based on the Total Amount of Solvents (L) Present in the Basecoat Material, a Total of Less than 9 wt % of Solvents Selected from the Group Consisting of Solvents (L1) with a HLB of Between 5 and 15 and a Water Solubility of >1.5 wt % at 20° C., with a High Solids Content in the Range from 45 to 55 wt % (BL-E7 to BL-E9), which can be Applied Directly as a Coloring Film to a Cured Surface, Directly to a Plastics Substrate, or Directly to a Metal Substrate Coated with an Electrocoat System.

The inventive, effect pigment-free waterborne basecoat materials BL-E7 to BL-E9 were prepared in analogy to the protocol for preparing the comparative waterborne basecoat materials BL-V2 to BL-V6 and BL-E1 to BL-E6, using the components listed in table 5. With the aid of deionized water and N,N-dimethylethanolamine (from BASF SE), they were adjusted to a pH of 8 and a high-shear viscosity of 125 mPas under a shearing load of 1000 s⁻¹, as measured with a rotary viscometer (Rheomat RM 180 instrument from Mettler-Toledo) at 23° C.

TABLE 5 Preparation of inventive waterborne basecoat materials BL-E7 to BL-E9. Designation of the waterborne basecoat material BL- BL- BL- E7 E8 E9 Component: Parts by weight AQUEOUS PHASE Deionized water 10 10.8 11 Hydroxy-functional polyester; prepared as per 4.2 example D, column 16, lines 37-59 of DE 4009858 A1 Hydroxy-functional polyester; prepared as per 2.52 2.52 example BI1, page 8, paragraph 146 of US 2014/0065428 A1 Luwipal ® 052 (from BASF SE), melamine- 5.8 5.8 formaldehyde resin Cymel ® 385 (from Cytec), 5.68 melamine-formaldehyde resin 2-Ethylhexanol, HLB 4.8 2.7 3.5 3.5 Triethylene glycol, HLB 20.0 2.7 2.7 2.7 10% strength solution of N,N-dimethylethanol- 0.5 0.5 0.5 amine (from BASF SE) in water Hydroxy-functional polyurethane modified 6.3 6.3 6.3 polyacrylate; prepared as per page 7, line 55 to page 8, line 23 of DE 4437535 A1 50 wt % strength solution of Rheovis ® PU 1250 0.6 0.6 0.6 (from BASF SE) in water, rheological agent PU microgel dispersion as per preparation 16.4 16.4 16.4 example D1 Carbon black paste 0.1 0.1 0.1 White paste 50.7 50.7 50.7

The preparation of the carbon black paste has already been described under table 2b.

Preparation of the White Paste:

The white paste was produced from 43 parts by weight of an acrylated polyurethane dispersion prepared as per international patent application WO 91/15528 binder dispersion A, 50 parts by weight of titanium rutile 2310, 3 parts by weight of 1-propoxy-2-propanol and 4 parts by weight of deionized water.

Comparative Experiments Between the Inventive Waterborne Basecoat Materials BL-E7 to BL-E9 in Respect of Run Stability and Popping Stability, Pinholing Limit, and Also Number of Pinholes and Viscosity.

For the determination of the applications properties (running limit, popping limit, and pinholing limit and the number of pinholes), multicoat paint systems were produced using the waterborne basecoat materials (BL-E7 to BL-E9) in analogy to the preceding protocol (see protocol of table 3).

The storage stability of the phyllosilicate-free, inventively prepared waterborne basecoat materials BL-E7 to BL-E9 was investigated in analogy to the preceding protocol (protocol above table 4a) on the basis of the high-shear viscosity over a period of 20 days.

The results are set out in table 6.

TABLE 6 Results of the determination of running limit, popping limit, and pinholing limit, and also number of pinholes, for multicoat paint systems and the viscosity based on the waterborne basecoat materials BL-E7 to BL-E9. Designation of the waterborne basecoat material BL-E7 BL-E8 BL-E9 Polyurethane dispersion D1 D1 D1 Amount in wt %, based on the total amount 8.9 7.2 4.5 of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, of solvents (L1) with an HLB of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility >1.5 wt % at 20° C. Solids content 47.6 51.5 52.4 Running limit in μm¹⁾ >70 >70 >70 Popping limit in μm²⁾ 47 49 46 Pinholing limit in μm³⁾ 44 48 42 Number of pinholes⁴ 6 13 8 High-shear viscosity in mPa · s at 1000 s¹ after  0 days 126 123 128  2 days 129 125 131  4 days 131 124 133  8 days 133 126 129 20 days 134 122 128 ¹⁾Running limit in μm: Film thickness from which runs occur ²⁾Popping limit in μm, Film thickness from which pops occur ³⁾Pinholing limit in μm: Film thickness of the basecoat film from which pinholes occur following application of a wedge of basecoat material and a constant layer of a two-component clearcoat material, with joint curing in an air circulation oven at 140°C., 20 minutes ⁴⁾Number of pinholes: Number of pinholes from pinholing limit of the coated metal panel with edge length 30 cm × 50 cm

The results of table 6 demonstrate that the use of the dispersion D1 for inventive use in the waterborne basecoat materials BL-E7 to BL-E9, i.e., the inventive waterborne basecoat materials with a high solids content in the range from 47 to 53 wt %, leads to excellent applications properties. The running, popping, and pinholing limits were raised significantly further in comparison to the already good results of the inventive waterborne basecoat materials BL-E1 to BL-E6 (table 3), and the number of pinholes was reduced further.

Moreover, the results of table 6 demonstrate that the inventive basecoat materials with a high solids fraction (BL-E7 to BL-E9) also achieve excellent storage stability, as evidenced by a small change in the high-shear viscosity over a period of 20 days.

The further reduction in the fraction of the solvent content (L1) with a HLB between 5 and 15 and a water solubility of >1.5 wt % at 20° C. among the sum total of the solvents (L), to below 7.5 wt % (BL-E8) and below 5 wt % (BL-E9), does not lead to any significant change in the investigated applications properties and storage stabilities in comparison to the inventive waterborne basecoat material BL-E7.

It has been shown, ultimately, that a significant improvement can be achieved in the applications properties and in the storage stability of aqueous basecoat materials comprising color pigments, even with an environmentally more advantageous high solids content.

In summary the examples show that the inventive waterborne basecoat materials BL-E1 to BL-E9 combine very good applications properties with excellent storage stability in relation to the comparative waterborne basecoat materials BL-V1 to BL-V6. The standard waterborne basecoat material BL-V1, which comprises a polyurethane dispersion VD1 with noncrosslinked particles, does have a good stability of viscosity on storage, but achieves markedly poorer applications properties. The comparative waterborne basecoat materials BL-V2 to BL-V6, which comprise the microgel dispersion D1 for inventive use, do achieve good applications properties, but not satisfactory storage stabilities.

It is only the inventive waterborne basecoat materials, then, that resolve the problem addressed by the present specification, namely an excellent storage stability with accompanying retention of good applications properties. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A pigmented aqueous basecoat material comprising an aqueous polyurethane-polyurea dispersion (PD) having polyurethane-polyurea particles present in the dispersion, having a volume average particle size of 40 to 2000 nm, and having a gel fraction of at least 50 wt %, the polyurethane-polyurea particles, in each case in reacted form, comprising: (Z.1.1) at least one polyurethane prepolymer containing isocyanate groups and comprising anionic groups and/or groups which can be converted into anionic groups, and (Z.1.2) at least one polyamine comprising two primary amino groups and one or two secondary amino groups, wherein the aqueous basecoat material, based on the total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, contains in total less than 9 wt % of solvents selected from the group consisting of solvents (L1) having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of between 5 and 15 and a water solubility of greater than 1.5 wt % at 20° C., the HLB of a solvent (L) being defined as: HLB (L)=20*(1−M(lipophilic fraction of (L))/M(L)), the lipophilic fraction of a solvent (L) being made up of the following carbon-containing groups: every group CH_(n) with n=1 to 3, provided that the group: (i) is not in alpha position to OH, NH₂, CO₂H, (ii) is not in ethylene oxide units located in an ethylene oxide chain having a terminal OH group, and/or (iii) is not in a cyclic molecule or molecular moiety in alpha position to a bridging functional group selected from —O—, NH—; and wherein the aqueous basecoat material further comprises a melamine formaldehyde resin, and at least one hydroxy-functional polymer that is different from the polymer present in the dispersion (PD).
 2. The pigmented aqueous basecoat material as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prepolymer (Z.1.1) of the polyurethane-polyurea dispersion comprises carboxylic acid groups.
 3. The pigmented aqueous basecoat material as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispersion (PD) consists, up to at least 90 wt %, of the polyurethane-polyurea particles and water.
 4. The pigmented aqueous basecoat material as claimed in claim 1, wherein, based on the total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, the basecoat material contains in total less than 9 wt % of solvents selected from the group consisting of solvents (L1) having a HLB of more than 7.8 and a water solubility of more than 7.7 at 20° C.
 5. A pigmented aqueous basecoat material comprising an aqueous polyurethane-polyurea dispersion (PD) having polyurethane-polyurea particles present in the dispersion, having volume average particle size of 40 to 2000 nm, and having a gel fraction of at least 50 wt %, the polyurethane-polyurea particles, in each case in reacted form, comprising: (Z.1.1) at least one polyurethane prepolymer containing isocyanate groups and comprising anionic groups and/or groups which can be converted into anionic groups, and (Z.1.2) at least one polyamine comprising two primary amino groups and one or two secondary amino groups, wherein the aqueous basecoat material, based on the total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, contains in total less than 9 wt % of butyl glycol, butyl diglycol, isopropanol, n-propanol, 1-propoxy-2-propanol, isobutanol and/or n-butanol; and wherein the aqueous basecoat material further comprises a melamine formaldehyde resin, and at least one hydroxy-functional polymer that is different from the polymer present in the dispersion (PD).
 6. A pigmented aqueous basecoat material comprising an aqueous polyurethane-polyurea dispersion (PD) having polyurethane-polyurea particles present in the dispersion, having volume average particle size of 40 to 2000 nm, and having a gel fraction of at least 50 wt %, the polyurethane-polyurea particles, in each case in reacted form, comprising: (Z.1.1) at least one polyurethane prepolymer containing isocyanate groups and comprising anionic groups and/or groups which can be converted into anionic groups, and (Z.1.2) at least one polyamine comprising two primary amino groups and one or two secondary amino groups, wherein the aqueous basecoat material, based on the total amount of solvents (L) present in the basecoat material, contains in total less than 9 wt % of butyl glycol; and wherein the aqueous basecoat material further comprises a melamine formaldehyde resin, and at least one hydroxy-functional polymer that is different from the polymer present in the dispersion (PD).
 7. The pigmented aqueous basecoat material as claimed in claim 1 having a solids content of 15 to 60 wt %.
 8. The pigmented aqueous basecoat material as claimed in claim 1 having a viscosity of 40 to 180 mPa·s at 23° C. under a shearing load of 1000 1/s.
 9. The pigmented aqueous basecoat material as claimed in claim 1, wherein a percentage total of the solids content of the basecoat material and a fraction of water in the basecoat material is at least 70 wt %.
 10. The pigmented aqueous basecoat material as claimed in claim 9, wherein the percentage total of the solids content of the basecoat material and the fraction of water in the basecoat material is at least 80 wt %.
 11. A method of using a pigmented aqueous basecoat material as claimed in claim 1, the method comprising applying the basecoat material as a basecoat film in a multicoat paint system to improve the storage stability and the applications properties.
 12. A method for producing a multicoat paint system comprising the stages: (1) applying a pigmented aqueous basecoat material to a substrate, (2) forming a polymer film from the coating material applied in stage (1), (3) applying a clearcoat material to the resulting basecoat film, and (4) curing the basecoat film together with the clearcoat film, wherein the pigmented aqueous basecoat material as claimed claim 1 is used in stage (1).
 13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the substrate is a metallic substrate coated with a cured electrocoat film, and all of the films applied to the electrocoat film are cured jointly.
 14. A multicoat paint system producible by the method as claimed in claim
 12. 15. The pigmented aqueous basecoat material as claimed in claim 7 having a solids content of 30 to 55 wt %.
 16. The pigmented aqueous basecoat material as claimed in claim 8 having a viscosity of 60 to 135 mPa·s at 23° C. under a shearing load of 1000 1/s. 